The Cromwells are going green

Reference: 

032/13

This Easter, visitors to Oliver Cromwell House can discover how the building’s famous residents used their greenfingers to feed their family.

In the ‘Meet the Cromwells’ sessions between 11am to 1pm on 2 April, 6 April, 9 April and 13 April, people will hear about Mrs Cromwell’s vegetable and herb gardens, how she used her unusual ingredients and what was in her Grand Salad.

There will also be the chance to talk to a Civil War Soldier, dress up with in costumes and learn about the tactics employed during the conflict.

This is a free event for Resident Pass holders and children under 6 years of age. Normal visitor prices apply to anyone without a pass: Adult: £4.60, Concession: £4.10 (over 60's and students with a valid student card), Child: £3.10 (under 6's free) and Family: £13.00 (2 adults and 3 children under 16).

There will also be a number of walking tours taking place across Easter:

* Good Friday Walk 29 March at 11.30am. A Historical Guided City Walk where visitors can learn about the rich history of Ely with one of our guides showing people around its splendid array of medieval paths and monastic buildings.

* Easter Saturday Walk 30 March at 11.30am. An Architecture Walk where people can discover the wealth of architecture of some of Ely’s historical buildings with one of our guides.

* Easter Sunday Walk 31 March at 2.30pm. The Guided Riverside Walk takes in the city centre as well a picturesque waterside with some stunning riverside views. Walkers will learn about the drainage of the Fens, the life of the Fen Folk and how the river serves visitors and residents today.

* Bank Holiday Monday Walk Monday 1 April at 11.30am. The Monastic Walking Tour allows people to discover and explore the grounds of the largest group of medieval monastic buildings still in use today and listen to tales of monks and royalty.

* Historical Guided City Walk - Saturday 13 April at 11.30am. Another chance for visitors to learn about the rich heritage of Ely.

* Ely and its Architecture Walk - Sunday 14 April at 11.30am. Discover the wealth of Architecture of some of Ely’s historical buildings with one of our guides

All tickets £3.50 per person and are available from Ely Tourist Information Centre

Aileen Sharp, Tourism Development Officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "Visitors to Oliver Cromwell House this Easter will be able to find out just how greenfingered the Cromwells were by growing food to sustain themselves and their household. It is incredibly interesting to see how the skills and techniques used in the seventeenth century are still recognisable today more and more people grow their own food. As always, there is a lot to do on a visit to Ely and we look forward to welcoming many visitors to our wonderful city this Easter."

For booking contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01353 662062 or www.visitely.org.uk.