A guide to living in Ely

Consistently rated as one of the safest and calmest places to live in Cambridgeshire, it’s this, and its combination of history and quick access to Cambridge that are probably the reasons it has welcomed a steady stream of new residents from London and beyond over the past few years.

Ely was founded in 673 AD by the East Anglian Princess Eltheldreda and for centuries it was a small settlement sustained by peat extraction, eel fishing and wildfowling. It actually sat as an island in the surrounding Fenland marshes until the wetlands were drained from the 17th century onwards. Today though, Ely is a busy cosmopolitan market town that retains its traditional charm despite the widespread development going on across the county.

The city is compact enough that you can explore the historic winding streets on foot, where you’ll be met with panoramic views at every turn and a bustling market square that has been at the heart of the community for more than 800 years.

Ely market is something to behold, selling everything from continental food to bric-a-brac, to dinosaur fossils found in the Fens. It has been at the heart of Ely’s community for around 800 years, and hosts three markets a week, as well as a Farmer’s Market twice a month.

Ely Cathedral is one of England’s most beautiful and largest cathedrals and dominates the skyline for miles. It’s also home to the only national museum dedicated to stained glass and even has a flower festival.

Another must-see is Ely Marina, which is regarded as a local beauty spot. It has multiple cafes, restaurants, art galleries and antique shops, as well as plenty of space on the river to relax and watch the boats go by.

Oliver Cromwell lived in Ely in the 17th century, and his former house is open to the public. Recreating what 17th-century life would have looked like, the house is a great place to visit and a nice way to connect with the city’s history.

When it comes to sports, the Ely Outdoor Sports Association offers rugby, hockey and tennis and there’s also Fresh, a new hub for fitness and dance classes. They offer barre, pilates, yoga and HIIT, all set in purpose-built dance studios along with a coffee shop. There are also two golf courses, a cricket club and various football teams for all ages.

Ely is a great place to find independent businesses. With relatively affordable rents, Ely’s ancient shops within the city centre are quickly snapped up by some brilliant start-ups. One of our favourites is The Eel Catcher’s Daughter, which is a cutesy gift shop with costume jewellery and homewares, mainly from local designers.

The Bake Shop is definitely worth a visit, packed with fresh bread, coffee and pastries as well as unusual deli options, including cheeses and natural wines.

Waterside Antiques is also a real find. It’s the largest antiques centre in East Anglia, set in a maltings building dating from the late 1760s, with more than 65 antiques dealers in operation.

Just a mile outside the city, you’ll find Ben’s Yard, a vibrant retail and lifestyle village set on the beautifully landscaped Stuntney Estate. Developed by the Morbey family, this reimagined farmyard is a fantastic hub for independent retailers. Alongside a farm shop and café, you can browse boutiques offering homewares, handcrafted British furniture, and gifts.

Ely is a beacon for independent businesses. With relatively affordable rents, Ely’s ancient shops within the city centre are quickly snapped up by some brilliant start-ups. One of our favourites is The Eel Catcher’s Daughter, which is a cutesy gift shop with costume jewellery and homewares, mainly from local designers.

The Bake Shop is definitely worth a visit, packed with fresh bread, coffee and pastries as well as unusual deli options, including cheeses and natural wines.

Waterside Antiques is a real find. It’s the largest antiques centre in East Anglia, set in a maltings building dating from the late 1760s, with more than 65 antiques dealers in operation.

In the country

Ely itself is an island in the middle of The Fens. The Fens, for those who haven’t visited it before, is broadly made up of open landscapes and countryside, covering a vast area of 200 square miles between Peterborough and Cambridge. It is an area blessed with big skies and unbeatable sunsets, with a landscape latticed with rivers and drainage channels.

The countryside is peppered with pretty, traditional villages, many of which are set along the multiple riverbanks, with independent pubs and shops. Some of the most popular villages are Stretham, Wilburton, Haddenham and Little Downham, where houses on offer include everything from chocolate box thatched cottages to Victorian and Edwardian homes as well as vast Georgian piles.

Also within easy reach is Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, the oldest reserve on the National Trust’s roster. This is one of Europe’s most important wetlands, with more than 9,000 species of wildlife recorded on site. It also has grazing Highland cattle and Konik ponies, as well as tons of special days out for children.

Who lives in Ely?

Ely draws buyers and tenants from a mixed pool. Local movers and first-time buyers still make up the largest group, but the past few years have brought a steady stream of relocators from Cambridge, looking for more space for their money, and from London, looking for value and the direct train home. The city has also become a popular base for AstraZeneca and life sciences professionals working in the Cambridge biomedical cluster, healthcare workers, and a small international contingent including American families.

The rental picture reflects that variety. There is no single typical tenant in Ely, and in any given month our lettings team can be letting properties to young professional couples, healthcare workers, families and international arrivals. The unifying trend across the tenant base is a growing preference for outdoor space, parking and a bit of extra room, which has picked up steadily since 2022.

Property prices in Ely

The average house price in Ely is £368,507 based on Cheffins’ completed sales over the past 12 months, roughly £100,000 below current Cambridge averages. That gap is what continues to draw buyers priced out of the city, and it is the single most important thing to understand about the Ely market.

The by-type breakdown from our sales:

• Detached: £589,452

• Detached bungalow: £506,000

• Cottage: £400,000

• Semi-detached: £366,000

• End of terrace: £306,000

• Two-bedroom flat: £240,000

Terraced houses averaged £200,000 over the period, but this figure reflects a small sample and can be materially higher depending on street and condition.

Sale prices in Ely are landing very close to asking. Detached properties are achieving 99.5% of asking on average, and the market as a whole cleared at 98% over the past 12 months. The pace of a sale is on the slower side, at 8 to 9 months from instruction to completion, which reflects longer conveyancing chains and a more cautious market since interest rates started rising.

One feature that sets Ely apart from many other Cambridgeshire markets right now is the availability of new-build supply. Taylor Wimpey has a live development in Ely itself, Linden Homes is building in Littleport, and Hopkins Homes has a well-established scheme off Cam Drive that comes with its own primary school. All three are drawing steady interest from local buyers and Cambridge relocators, and they mean Ely buyers have real choice at the newer end of the market in a way that’s become rare in Cambridgeshire.

For a deeper look at what your budget will buy across Ely and the surrounding villages, including buyer profiles, area-by-area detail and current market conditions, see our Ely property market guide.

Rents have grown steadily since 2022, when the average sat at £1,002. Over the past 12 months, the picture has been much flatter, which puts Ely in a slightly different position to some nearby markets where rents have softened.

The rental market moves quickly. Our new lettings instructions typically let inside four weeks, and demand is strongest near the station and around King’s School. Streets like Broad Street, Victoria Street and Back Hill are consistent favourites, and the north side of the city offers the best value for tenants who don’t mind being a little further from the station.

For a fuller look at the Ely rental market, tenant profiles and landlord opportunities, see our forthcoming Ely renting and landlord guide.

Buying or renting a house in Ely

Cheffins sells and lets a mix of properties across Ely city centre and the surrounding villages. Our Ely office is on Market Place in the heart of the city, and the team offers advice on where to buy or rent based on what matters most to you: the character of a period house near the cathedral, a modern family home on one of the new-build developments, or a village setting a short drive away.

To view current listings, visit properties for sale in Ely or properties to rent in Ely. For an up-to-date valuation of your home, request a free valuation.