Sunday 30 August 2026

Ely has a fairly good end-of-summer week ahead, with Foodie Friday returning next week, the Cathedral’s September programme getting underway, the final week of the castles exhibition at Ely Museum, and some interesting cultural events later in September.

🗞️ Latest Local News & Developments

🍽️ Grain Kitchen & Bar — the new restaurant

Grain Kitchen & Bar is now established at Ely Leisure Village, having opened on 7 August in the former Mangiare premises.

It is an independent restaurant run by Suman Dahl, serving modern British food with global influences, from breakfast through to dinner. The menu includes British favourites alongside pizzas, pasta, steaks, burgers and internationally influenced dishes.

🏰 Ely’s big development story

The proposed final phase of the major development around Ely North / East Cambridgeshire remains an important longer-term story, with plans that could ultimately deliver around 1,600 homes, alongside employment and community infrastructure.

🎭 What’s On in Ely

🍔 Foodie Friday — THIS WEEK

Friday 4 September, 4pm–8:30pm
📍 Ely Market Place

The popular Foodie Friday returns with local food producers, street-food traders, drinks and live music.

This is probably one of the best evening events in Ely this coming week and a particularly good choice if you want something casual rather than a formal concert.

🏰 Castles: Towers, Trebuchets and Toilets — LAST WEEK

Until Sunday 6 September
📍 Ely Museum

The museum’s popular summer exhibition explores medieval castles, their inhabitants, weapons, defences and — yes — medieval toilet arrangements.

If you’ve been meaning to see it, this is the last week.

🎵 Kai Krakenberg — Organ Recital

Sunday 30 August, 5:15pm
📍 Ely Cathedral

International organist Kai Krakenberg performs at the Cathedral.

This is one of Ely’s better free classical-music options, with the Cathedral’s summer recital series continuing into September.

📅 Looking Ahead — September

🎹 Thomas Strudwick — Organ Recital

Thursday 3 September
📍 Ely Cathedral

Part of the Cathedral’s regular lunchtime recital series.

🏛️ Heritage Open Days

11–13 September
📍 Various locations around Ely

Ely Cathedral is participating in the national Heritage Open Days programme, with special access and activities.

One particularly interesting event is:

🏰 West Tower Experience

Friday 11 September, 6:30pm & 7:15pm
📍 Ely Cathedral
🎟️ £9 / £7.50 children aged 10+
⏱️ Approximately 45 minutes

A chance to climb the 288 steps of the West Tower in the evening for views across Ely and the Fens. Advance booking is essential.

🧵 Seeking the Light

Until 22 September
📍 Ely Cathedral

Alexandra Kingswell’s contemporary textile exhibition continues.

👶 Little Explorers

Friday 18 September, 10am–12pm
📍 Ely Museum, The Old Gaol, Market Street
🎟️ £3.50 per child

A creative morning for accompanied pre-school children, with crafts, stories and songs. Advance booking is recommended.

🏛️ Stories Tour — Where Monks Walked

16, 17 & 19 September

📍 Ely Cathedral / historic Cathedral precinct

A guided walk exploring Ely’s medieval monastic buildings, including Prior Crauden’s Chapel.

• 16 Sept: 10:30am
• 17 Sept: 2pm
• 19 Sept: 10:30am

Booking is required, and there are some uneven surfaces and spiral stairs.

🎻 Ely Sinfonia — Dvořák

Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
📍 Ely Cathedral
🎟️ £25 / £20 / £10; under-18s £5 in £20 & £10 seats

The autumn concert includes Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, Martinů’s Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra and the world premiere of a new commission by David John Roche.

That is one I’d definitely put in the diary if you like orchestral music.

🎵 Live Music

The confirmed highlights now include:

• Today, 30 Aug — Kai Krakenberg, organ, Ely Cathedral
• 3 Sept — Thomas Strudwick, organ, Ely Cathedral
• 4 Sept — live music at Foodie Friday, Market Place
• 13 Sept — Brass & Organ Spectacular with Prime Brass, Ely Cathedral
• 26 Sept — Ely Sinfonia: Dvořák, Ely Cathedral

There’s also a particularly interesting non-Cathedral concert coming up:

🎸 Gryphon

Thursday 17 September, 7:30pm
📍 The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, CB7 4BB
🎟️ From £27

The progressive-rock/folk/classical group Gryphon is touring with material from its live album and latest work.

That’s a rather more unusual musical choice than the Cathedral recitals.

🛍️ Markets

The regular Saturday Craft, Food & Vintage Market continues throughout September.

Saturday 5 September, 8:30am–3:30pm
📍 Ely Market Place

Expect local makers, vintage traders, artisan food, books, antiques and street food.

The market is also confirmed for 12, 19 and 26 September.

⭐ Ely — My Picks

🍔 Best evening: Foodie Friday — 4 September
🏰 Last chance: Castles exhibition — until 6 September
🎸 Best unusual gig: Gryphon — 17 September
🏛️ Best special experience: West Tower evening climb — 11 September
🎻 Best classical concert: Ely Sinfonia — 26 September
👶 Best little-ones event: Little Explorers — 18 September
🍽️ New place to try: Grain Kitchen & Bar

Overall: Ely is moving from the summer-events period into a strong September cultural programme. The Cathedral is doing particularly well, but the Gryphon concert at The Maltings is the one that jumps out as something a little different.