Ely Cathedral

Ely lies just a short train journey from Cambridge, across flat farming land that was no more than a boggy marsh until 300 years ago, when Dutch engineers were brought in to drain the swamps (who would know more about keeping water at bay than the lowlanders of Holland?)

Known locally as the 'Ship of the Fens ', Ely Cathedral is said to be one of the most stunning. I have to agree. A lot of the stonework is not original, nor is the riot of painted colour - both are the work of caring Victorians with an eye for detail, who could not bear to see the building fall into ruin. They have my thanks!

Ely is also one of the most accessable cathedrals - for a wee extra fee, you can join a tour that goes right up inside the gorgeous apex and out onto the roof. The views, inside and out, are amazing. Just look...