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Route map
Route details
From Earith, the route seems to go in the wrong direction, heading East-South-East, around Upper Delphs, Ewell Fen, Holme Fen, Upper Cuts, Middle Cuts and Chear Fen - all names for stretches of reclaimed land. At Stretham Mere, the route heads back in the right direction past the Stretham Old Engine which used to be one of many engines carrying out the drainage work in the Fens. The Red Lion in Stretham offers food, drink and a bed for the night, in case the journey to Ely is a fen too far.
The walk ‘up’ to Ely which, being 26 metres above sea level is the highest land around here, is rewarded with some great views and a suitably splendid Cathedral. If you arrive around May Bank holiday, you can join in the fun of Eel Day when the city’s namesake is celebrated.
Audio downloads
Keeping farming afloat
The Fens are Britain's bread-basket thanks to pumping stations keeping the land drained. Volunteer Nick Sharpe shows us how Stretham Old Engine has been helping keep the country fed.
Museum website
The art of glass
Most of the churches along the Ouse Valley Way contain treasures hiding in plain sight - stained glass. Emily Allen from the Stained Glass Museum is going to help us see what we have been looking through.
Museum website
Cromwell's House
An obvious place to start any visit to Ely is at the tourist information office and it comes with an added bonus - it was also Oliver Cromwell’s family home which Anna Bennett shows us around.
Website
Public transport
There is no direct bus between Earith and Ely, but you can catch a Tiger 12 bus to Sutton and ZIP2 to Ely. Bus times: Tiger bus routes.
Alternatively, you could go via Cambridge.
Next leg: Ely to Downham Market
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