Best Wedding Venues in Ely, Cambridgeshire

Ely is one of the most concentrated wedding venue clusters in the East of England. Within a small medieval city you have one of the world's great Gothic cathedrals, a Bishop's Palace, riverside meadows, and a collection of converted historical buildings — all within easy reach of Cambridge, Newmarket, and the wider Fens.

Ely Cathedral

The dominant presence in any Ely wedding is the Cathedral — even if your ceremony takes place elsewhere, the Cathedral's silhouette appears in riverside portraits and aerial views throughout the day. Licensed for Church of England ceremonies and open for photography from its nave to its Octagonal Lantern Tower, Ely Cathedral is one of England's most photographically extraordinary wedding settings. The Galilee Porch at the west end provides a sheltered outdoor portrait area. Light through the clerestory windows varies dramatically by season and time of day.

The Bishop's Palace

Adjacent to the Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace is available for wedding receptions and private events. Its walled gardens, formal lawns, and views toward the Cathedral create a private outdoor setting that feels worlds away from the public areas of the Cathedral Close. Limited availability makes it one of Ely's most sought-after spaces.

The Maltings

This converted Victorian riverside warehouse is one of Ely's most flexible venues. Industrial architecture — exposed brickwork, high ceilings, original beams — combines with a direct River Great Ouse position, giving both dramatic interior spaces and waterside outdoor access. Sunset portraits from the riverside terrace, with the Cathedral visible downstream, are among the most memorable shots couples take away from an Ely wedding day.

The Poets House Hotel

A boutique hotel in a collection of converted Victorian buildings, the Poets House offers ceremony rooms, reception spaces, accommodation, and charming courtyard areas. Its central location means the Cathedral is a five-minute walk for portrait time.

The Stained Glass Museum

Housed inside the Cathedral itself, the Stained Glass Museum offers a unique backdrop for drinks receptions and intimate celebrations. Coloured light from medieval glass panels creates photography conditions unlike anything elsewhere in Cambridgeshire.

Oliver Cromwell's House

As both a museum and licensed wedding venue, Oliver Cromwell's House brings genuine seventeenth-century character to smaller wedding celebrations. Timber-framed interiors, leaded windows, and an atmospheric garden create a historically immersive alternative to conventional venue photography.

Rural venues around Ely

Within fifteen miles of Ely, several barn and country house venues sit among the flat fen landscape — wide sky, long views, and golden evening light that is entirely unique to this part of England. Ask me about specific venues when we meet; I've photographed at many of them and can give an honest picture of what works photographically.