Walks from Ely

Highly recommended

Waterway: two thirds beside rivers and canals.

Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.

Oliver Cromwell's House

Ely

Time: 5h30–11h30

2 lunch spots: the Five Miles Inn (2h–4h in), or Wren Cafe (3h–6h in)

5 end-of-walk rewards: the Cutter Inn, the Drayman's Son, the Kings Arms, the Minster Tavern, or the Prince Albert

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Open fenland, flat drained farmland, long straight tree-lined farm tracks, hedge-lined meadows, river banks, dykes and catchwater drains, quayside and historic city.

Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Exposed river banks.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Time: 3h30–6h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association (PDF).

Stunningly gorgeous; This is a lovely route, and by far the best of the three options. A lovely route that follows the River Ouse for most of the way through open country, then wiggles into the city centre, taking in housing, Ely Country Park and common land. Mostly off-road and flat along the exposed flood bank, with several stiles and gates and a short steep embankment; muddy in places after rain. Follows the River Ouse, passing through Ely Country Park and common land rich in vegetation and wildlife. Facilities in Ely and Littleport but little en route.

Waterway: two thirds beside rivers and canals.

Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: No facilities en route between the two towns.

Warnings: Two footpath crossings of railway lines without automated barriers, one on a bend with poor visibility, so listen out as well as look. Several stiles and the likelihood of grazing cattle in the riverside fields. The flood bank is exposed to wind, sun and rain with little shelter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long, largely flat Fenland route starting along the canal, then a mix of footpaths, farm tracks, gravel and lengthy stretches of road. It is fairly exposed in places, with farm tracks that can be deeply muddy near the sewage works and includes stepped bridges and metal turnstiles. Partly follows the Hereward Way. There are several railway stations on the route, so it can be broken into shorter chunks. Look out for deer, hares, and (in places) wild greengage and plum trees.

Time: 8h30–17h30

Lunch: Cafes and pubs in Ely at the start; few facilities along the way.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. Long sections follow A-roads with 60mph limits and no pavement, which are not safe for walkers; a footpath crossing near Shippea Hill is not maintained and impassable, forcing a detour. Stepped bridges and turnstiles make it unsuitable for those with mobility issues; one path near Brandon passes through thick, deep mud by the sewage works.

Walk details: Slow Ways.