EastCambs

Local businesses

Markets, independents, farm shops and riverside hospitality: support the businesses that make East Cambridgeshire special.

Ely Market Place with market stalls and shops, and the cathedral towers rising behind the rooftops
Market Place, Ely. Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0

Shop local

Ely Markets

Ely has been a market city for centuries, and the Market Place is still at the heart of the community. The Thursday charter market sells fresh produce and everyday goods, and the Saturday market brings craft, food and vintage stalls. Look out for farmers’ markets, seasonal fairs and late-night summer markets.

Ely Markets dates and stallholders

Why shop local?

  • Money spent with independents stays in the local economy for longer.
  • Fenland soil grows a huge share of England’s vegetables: buy them fresh, close to where they’re grown.
  • Local shops and pubs are the meeting places that keep villages alive.

Places to stay

  • Poets House

    A boutique hotel in a historic building a short walk from Ely Cathedral.

    Central Ely

  • Black Prince Holidays, Ely

    Stay afloat: narrowboat holidays and short breaks on the Fenland waterways.

    Bridge Road, Ely

  • More places to stay on Visit Ely

    The official visitor guide lists hotels, B&Bs, cottages and campsites across the district.

    Across East Cambridgeshire

  • City Studios

    Three holiday flats on Fore Hill.

    Fore Hill, Ely

  • Hatters Meadows

    Camping and glamping just outside Ely.

  • Holidays With My Dogs

    Dog-friendly cabins with secure gardens and fenced fields for dog walking.

    About 4.5 miles from Ely

  • Karma Farm Eco Campsite

    Eco campsite on Isleham Fen.

    Isleham Fen

  • Peacocks B&B

    Rooms above the Peacocks tearoom on Ely’s riverside.

    Waterside, Ely

  • Riverside Inn Guest House

    Guest house beside the river, a short walk from the city centre. Rooms can be booked through Booking.com.

  • Stoker’s Cottage (Landmark Trust)

    A holiday cottage beside the Stretham Old Engine, cared for by the Landmark Trust.

    Stretham

  • The High Flyer

    Pub with rooms in central Ely. Rooms can be booked through Booking.com.

    Newnham Street, Ely

  • The Lamb Hotel

    Traditional inn dating from the 15th century, close to the cathedral.

    Lynn Road, Ely

  • The Old Hall

    Luxury countryside hotel just outside Ely.

    Stuntney, near Ely

  • The Old Warehouse

    Six holiday flats in a converted warehouse in central Ely.

Independent shops

Food and drink

  • The Old Fire Engine House

    A long-established restaurant and art gallery near the cathedral, serving traditional English food made with local produce.

    St Mary’s Street, Ely

  • Spinney Abbey Farm Shop

    A family-run farm beside Wicken Fen with a farm shop selling local produce.

    Wicken

  • Fodder Fen Farm

    A new family-run farm producing outdoor-reared pork and sausages, which you’ll also find at local markets and events.

    Near Little Downham

  • Arbuckles

    American-style diner and steakhouse.

  • Eat Thai

    Thai restaurant.

  • Ely Turkish Restaurant and Meze Bar

    Turkish food and meze.

  • Le Spice

    Indian restaurant.

  • Marmalade & Jam

    Tearoom and café. Its listing and reviews are on Tripadvisor.

  • Peacocks Tearoom

    Traditional English tearoom by the river, with rooms upstairs.

    Waterside, Ely

  • Sushi & Salad

    Japanese food.

  • The Almonry

    Restaurant in the grounds of Ely Cathedral serving light meals and afternoon tea. Details are on the cathedral’s website.

    Ely Cathedral

  • The Cutter Inn

    Riverside pub serving food, with views over the Great Ouse. News is on its Facebook page.

    Annesdale, Ely

  • The Prince Albert

    Pub serving food. News is on its Facebook page.

  • The Royal Standard

    Pub near the Market Place with food, including seafood, and rooms.

  • The Yard

    Restaurant and bar with outdoor seating in the style of a European “ruin bar”.

  • Urban Fresh

    South American food.

Experiences and activities

  • Fish & Duck Marina

    Self-drive day boats from spring to autumn, where the Cam meets the Great Ouse.

    Near Little Thetford

  • Blended Monkey Studios

    Small-group and one-to-one workshops in woodturning, pottery, stone carving and other crafts.

    Ely area

  • Ely Clay Collective

    Friendly, inclusive pottery workshops.

    Ely

  • Marmalade Print Studio

    A not-for-profit community printmaking studio running linocut, etching and introductory workshops.

    Pratt Street, Soham

  • Ely On Par

    Golf driving range open to everyone, whatever your handicap.

    Ely

  • Riforma

    Reformer Pilates studio within Atrium Fitness, open to non-members, with small classes for beginners and experienced movers.

    Ely

  • Ely Work Collective

    Co-working space with hot desks, meeting rooms and a studio, close to the station.

    St Thomas Place, Ely

  • Fordham Abbey Estate

    Country estate near Fordham, home of Dojima Sake Brewery, the first Japanese-owned sake brewery in the UK.

    Fordham

  • The Hideaway Gaming Cafe

    Café with a library of board games to play.

Listings are a small, independent selection and are not paid for or endorsed. Please check opening times with each business.

Support for local businesses

Run a business in East Cambridgeshire?

We’re building our directory of local independents. Email hello@eastcambs.co.uk with your business name, location and website, and we’ll consider it for a free listing.