Best Photography Locations in Ely, Cambridgeshire

Ely is one of the most photogenic places in all of Cambridgeshire. Its cathedral rises from the flat fenland like a ship in an endless sea — visible for miles in every direction. But beyond the cathedral, the city offers rivers, riverside meadows, ancient streets, and peaceful parks that make it a wonderful setting for family, portrait, couple, and wedding photography.

1. Ely Cathedral and the College Green

The Cathedral Close and College Green are the obvious starting point — and they never disappoint. The medieval west front provides an extraordinary backdrop for portraits, while the mature lime trees on College Green create beautiful dappled shade in summer.

Photography in the Cathedral grounds is generally permitted for personal portrait sessions, though it is worth confirming with the Cathedral office if you are planning a professional or wedding shoot. Early morning before the tourist crowds arrive is ideal.

2. The Great Ouse Riverside and Jubilee Gardens

The riverbank along the Great Ouse is one of Ely's most beautiful natural assets. Jubilee Gardens and the riverside walk offer open meadow views, weeping willows overhanging the water, and beautiful reflections in the calm of morning.

This is a wonderful location for family sessions — children can paddle, dogs can run, and the light on the water in the golden hour creates warm, dreamy images.

3. Oliver Cromwell's House and Saint Mary's Street

The half-timbered buildings along Saint Mary's Street, clustered around Oliver Cromwell's House, give Ely a distinctly medieval feel. These narrow lanes with their old timberwork make wonderful contextual backdrops — particularly suited to engagement sessions, academic portraits, and editorial-style work.

The street is quietest on weekday mornings. Look for light catching the warm timber tones and the ancient flint-work of the surrounding buildings.

4. Prior Croft Park and the Roswell Pits

Prior Croft Park on the western edge of the city is an underused gem — a gentle green space with mature trees, open grass, and views of the cathedral on the ridge above. It is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the grass takes on golden tones.

The nearby Roswell Pits Local Nature Reserve offers a wilder, more atmospheric setting — old flooded chalk quarries lined with reed beds and willow scrub. Ideal for adventurous couples or nature-loving families who want something beyond a typical park backdrop.

5. The Fenland Landscape: Fields and Open Sky

Ely sits at the heart of the Fen — one of the most distinctive landscapes in England. The vast, flat fields with their enormous skies and perfectly straight droves are unlike anywhere else in the country.

For the right couple or family, a session in the open fenland can produce extraordinary images: a simple, honest landscape that frames people in a way no manicured park can. Particularly spectacular at sunrise or sunset when the horizon glows and the skies turn pink and gold.

Look for old drove roads heading east of the city, or the raised banks of the waterways between Ely and Littleport.

Seasonal Highlights

• ◆Spring (March–May): Cherry blossom near the Cathedral Close, fresh green willows along the river, and the first warm evenings of the year.
• ◆Summer (June–August): Golden evening light, long sessions by the river, wildflowers along the banks.
• ◆Autumn (September–November): Rich amber and copper tones in Prior Croft Park, low golden light, atmospheric morning mist over the fens.
• ◆Winter (December–February): Frost on the riverbank, dramatic skies, and the Cathedral glowing warm against cold blue light.