Ely was inundated with visitors this weekend as people from across the region came to learn about the amazing history of the city and see some of its hidden treasures.

A series of events at attractions in Ely organised by the Tourist Information Office at Oliver Cromwell House to form part of East Cambridgeshire’s contribution to the national Heritage Weekend Programme.

With the vast majority of Tours and Guided Walks in the Cathedral, Oliver Cromwell House and around Ely full even before the weekend, it is estimated over 1,000 people came to the city.

As well as visiting many of the well known attractions such as the Ely Museum and the Stained Glass Museum, large numbers came to see the buildings which opened up especially on the Sunday including: the Silver Street Cottages, St Peter’s Church, the Old Porta and Prior Craudren’s Chapel.

Tracey Harding, Tourism & Town Centres Team Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "This is the first time tourism destinations in Ely have worked together on this scale to put together a joint programme for The National Heritage Weekend and I think it is safe to say it was a massive success. Whether it was coming to Oliver Cromwell House on Friday night, taking tours of the Old Palace or learning some of the secrets of the Cathedral, there was a fantastic turnout from visitors and residents.

"We would like to thank all those people who contributed to putting the programme together from Ely Society to Kings School to all the visitors’ attractions for helping to make it a great success. We hope all those people who came along will have learnt something new about Ely and will share with their family and friends all the amazing sights and things you can do in our historic city."

For more information on visiting Ely and East Cambridgeshire please visit www.visitely.org.uk or call 01353 662062