Oliver Cromwell's House

About the museum

Oliver Cromwell moved with his family to this house in Ely in 1636 and lived there for just over ten years. He had inherited the lease from his uncle, which came with the duty of collecting local tithes, and at that time he was a struggling farmer rather than the future Lord Protector. The house is presented as his family home and, according to the museum, is the only surviving residence of Cromwell apart from Hampton Court.

Today the building holds an exhibition on the English Civil War and on Cromwell’s life in the Fens. Visitors walk through a series of rooms, including the Parlour and the Kitchen on the ground floor and rooms upstairs such as Mrs Cromwell’s Room, the Study, the Civil War Room and a room said to be haunted. The displays include a timeline and family tree, interactive exhibits, a mini encampment that shows life on the Civil War battlefields, and costumes and period games for children. An audio handset tells the story of the house and is included in the ticket.

The house is also the base of the Ely Tourist Information Centre and a gift shop, which are in the reception area. The nearby 17th-century Tithe Office can be hired as a function room, and the museum runs events, tours and group visits with costumed guides throughout the year.

Highlights

• The surviving family home of Oliver Cromwell in the Fens
• Civil War exhibition with interactive displays
• Mini encampment showing life on the battlefields
• Costumes to try on and period games
• Audio handset included with admission, plus a family audio tour
• Ely Tourist Information Centre and gift shop in the same building

Permanent exhibitions

• The Civil War exhibition – A refurbished exhibition with interactive displays, a timeline and family tree, and a mini encampment on life on the English Civil War battlefields.
• Oliver Cromwell’s family home – Period rooms where Cromwell lived with his family from 1636, explored with an audio handset that tells the story of the house.

Operated by

City of Ely Council

Admission & discounts

An audio handset is included with admission. A residents’ scheme is available; ask at the front desk. The Ely Passport, sold in the shop, covers several Ely heritage sites.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is at ground level, and wheelchair users can reach the tourist information centre, the Parlour and the Kitchen; a ramp leads back to reception. The upper floor and the other rooms can only be reached by stairs with grab rails, so an audio guide and a book are offered to visitors who cannot go upstairs. Some rooms are dark with uneven floorboards and narrow doorways. There are no toilets in the public areas; the nearest are on Palace Green, about two minutes’ walk away, and accessible toilets are elsewhere in Ely. A hearing loop is not mentioned. Seating is provided in every room. Written audio commentary and a large-print guide are available on request. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are allowed only in the tourist information centre. Free electric scooters and manual wheelchairs can be booked from Ely Shopmobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Children can try on costumes, play period games, explore the mini encampment and use interactive displays; a family audio tour is available. The upper floor is reached by stairs only.

Getting there & parking

Taxis operate from Market Street. Coach group information is on the Visit Ely website.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The gift shop is in the tourist information centre, which has wheelchair access. There are no toilets in the house.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 25 guests.

The 17th-century Tithe Office is a function room for meetings, away days and functions for up to 25 people theatre-style or 20 boardroom-style. Hire is £25 an hour on weekdays (two-hour minimum) and £35 an hour after 17:00 and at weekends, or £15 for registered charities, plus VAT. The house can also be hired for filming and team-building.

Plan your visit