Ely Library

A proper working library in the heart of Ely, this place is far more interesting than you'd expect from its modest high street position. The building itself dates back centuries and has that genuine worn-in feel of somewhere locals actually use rather than a sterile community hub. You'll find decent local history collections, a reasonable selection of fiction and non-fiction, computers if you need them, and that particular smell of old books that genuinely can't be replicated.

It's free to wander in, though borrowing requires membership. The staff know their stuff about Ely's medieval past - the cathedral dominates everything here, and this library holds proper material about the town's history if you want context before visiting the main attraction. Realistically, you're looking at twenty minutes to an hour depending on whether you get sucked into the local history section. Not a destination in itself, but absolutely worth ducking into if you're exploring Ely's town centre.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Heatherbield Lodge is particularly close at just over two miles away, or Hatters Meadows if you prefer - this makes a handy rainy afternoon refuge. The town itself is compact enough to explore on foot from either site. Thursday evenings stay open until seven, which is useful if you've had a full day outdoors. The library sits perfectly in a town visit that includes the cathedral, the riverside walk, and a decent lunch somewhere along the high street.