Trains to Ely Eel Festival
Every year, the Ely Eel Festival brings the cathedral city of Ely to life over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, celebrating the city’s namesake - the eel. Visitors can enjoy a lively parade winding through the streets, quirky competitions, folk music, storytelling, and an array of fantastic food and drink. Catch a train to Ely with CrossCountry and experience this unique and historic event for yourself.
How to get to Ely by train
Ely is well-connected by train, making experiencing the eel festival incredibly simple. If you’re travelling with CrossCountry, you can catch a train to Ely station from nearby locations such as Birmingham New Street, Melton Mowbray, and Peterborough.
Much of the festivities for Ely Eel Day take place in Jubilee Gardens, a nine-minute walk from the station. It’s a lovely walk that will take you along the River Great Ouse and it’s weeping willows.
Things to do at Ely Eel Festival
The Ely Eel Festival takes place across three days, beginning with the eel parade. On Ely Eel Day, which falls on the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend, a parade begins in Cross Green outside Ely Cathedral and proceeds down to Jubilee Gardens where the main event takes place. During the parade, a gigantic eel, adorned with a golden crown, slithers through the streets accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums. Anyone is welcome to join the parade, it’s a delightfully bizarre sight to behold and one you shouldn’t miss.
Once the parade reaches Jubilee Gardens, you’ll have free reign of the market stalls, food and drink vendors, and community events. One highlight is the World Eel Throwing Competition which is exactly what it sounds like - except no real eels are used! There are two categories, over 16s and under 16s, and anyone can enter. You’ll be tested on how far you can throw the ‘golden eel’, with past records reaching over 17 metres.
Throughout the rest of the event, there is folk music, crafts, reenactments, and dancing – the perfect way to spend a springtime bank holiday. Plus, be sure to stick around for the rest of the weekend to experience the Ely Food, Drink and Craft Fair which takes place on Palace Green and Cross Green. The two-day outdoor event is held against the stunning backdrop of Ely Cathedral and will feature food demos, delicious local produce, and plenty of international bites to sample.
Places to stay in Ely
Ely is usually a picturesque and quiet location, perfect for a relaxing staycation. However, the Eel Festival is the best time to visit if you want to be there when the city comes to life with celebrations and festivities. There are plenty of lovely accommodation options to choose from, many just steps from Ely station.
The Riverside Inn overlooks calm waters and bobbing canal boats on the River Great Ouse. Its charming exterior is decorated with flowers and foliage, and the views from the rooms seem to be plucked right out of a storybook. Alternatively, walk fifteen minutes from the station into the city centre and you’ll find The Lamb Hotel, a 15th-century inn that’s walking distance from the cathedral and Ely Museum.
Please note: CrossCountry is unable to support with any hotel related queries or booking requests. For further information, please contact the hotels mentioned directly. Additionally, we cannot guarantee there will be rooms available over the Eel Festival weekend.
About Ely Eel Festival
The Ely Eel Festival celebrates the city's historic ties to these fish. In fact, Ely’s name is believed to have originated from the Old English word ‘elig,’ meaning ‘district of eels’ because they were once a vital food source for locals, and the surrounding Fenlands were rich with them. In fact, eels were so abundant that they were even used as currency.
Today, eel numbers in the River Great Ouse have dwindled, partly due to the popularity of jellied eels in the past, but also due to climate change. European eels are now critically endangered, which is concerning since their presence is a strong indicator of clean and healthy waterways.
Despite this, there’s hope for Ely’s eels. Efforts are underway to tackle key issues like habitat loss and migration challenges. The eel festival isn’t just a fun event - it’s also a powerful way to raise awareness about these tenacious creatures and their important role in the ecosystem, from recycling nutrients to supporting other marine life as food.
If you’re planning to catch a train to Ely Eel Festival, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.