Friends Day Trip - Guided tour of Ely Cathedral & the Stained Glass Museum and a guided historical walk of Ely

Ely Cathedral, with its unique 14th-century octagonal lantern tower, is counted among the marvels of the medieval world. Much of the cathedral is over nine hundred years old and it offers a rich architectural history, including the sumptuous 13th-century Quire and the beautiful 14thcentury Lady Chapel.The Fitzwilliam Museum and Ely Cathedral share a sad event in history. George Basevi, the original architect of The Fitzwilliam Museum did not see his vision for the building completed.

 

Tragically, while inspecting repairs at Ely Cathedral in 1845, he accidentally fell through the floor of the West Tower and died.

 

The Stained Glass Museum offers a unique insight into the fascinating history of stained glass, an art-form that has been practised in Britain for at least thirteen hundred years. The permanent gallery displays over 125 stained glass panels representing eight hundred years of the history of this ancient art, from the thirteenth century to the present day. All the stained glass panels in the gallery are displayed at eye-level, enabling visitors to have a rare close encounter with the art of stained glass.

 

After lunch, we will enjoy a guided historical walking tour of Ely, before returning to the Cathedral for refreshments and our return journey to Cambridge at approximately 16.30.