Our latest overnight stop in Peggy took us to the beautiful cathedral city of Ely, where a sunny Saturday rolled effortlessly into a relaxed Sunday by the river. It was one of those simple, unhurried trips where the place itself does most of the work—sunshine, water, history and just enough going on to keep you wandering a little longer than planned.
We arrived in Ely and managed what felt like a bit of a luxury park-up, right outside the magnificent cathedral. Known as the “Ship of the Fens,” Ely Cathedral rises dramatically from the flat Cambridgeshire landscape and has done so for nearly 900 years. Originally founded as a monastery in 673 by St Æthelthryth, the current building began construction in 1083 under the Normans and evolved over centuries into the spectacular structure we see today.
Parking up so close meant that our first and last views of the city were dominated by its incredible silhouette—towering stone, intricate carvings and that unmistakable central octagon lantern, which has become one of the great architectural feats of medieval England.
From there, we set off to explore.
Ely has a wonderfully relaxed feel, especially when the sun is out. We wandered through the historic streets and spent time browsing the antique shops tucked away in old buildings. These shops feel perfectly at home in Ely, as if the city naturally encourages a slower pace, where you’re expected to stop, look and maybe uncover something unexpected from the past.
The River Great Ouse runs alongside the city, and it quickly became our favourite place to walk. The riverside paths are full of life—boats gently moving through the water, cyclists passing by, and people enjoying the sunshine on the grassy banks. Ely has been a riverside settlement for centuries, and you can still sense that connection to the water today, even as it now serves more leisure craft than trading vessels.
As evening approached, we made our way to The Cutter, a riverside pub perfectly positioned for watching the world drift by. Sitting outside with a drink in hand, we had one of those rare viewpoints where three different worlds seem to meet at once.
On the river, boats moved slowly past, some heading upstream, others down, all at an unhurried pace that matched the evening perfectly. Just beyond, trains crossed the nearby railway bridge with a steady rhythm, linking Ely to Cambridge, London and beyond. And above it all, the cathedral stood quietly in the background, lit by the fading sun.
It was one of those moments where everything feels slightly balanced—water, rail and stone all sharing the same space without competing for attention.
As night settled in, Ely became even more peaceful. The cathedral lights glowed softly against the sky, the river slowed to near stillness, and the city took on a calm, almost timeless atmosphere.
On Sunday morning, we returned for another walk, enjoying the quieter streets and revisiting the riverside before reluctantly preparing to leave.
Ely may not be the largest city we’ve visited in Peggy, but it is certainly one of the most elegant. Its combination of medieval history, riverside charm and easy-going atmosphere makes it a place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
From cathedral park-ups to antique browsing and riverside drinks at The Cutter, it was a perfect little weekend escape.
Until the next adventure,
Peggy and Crew
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