Thursday, 18 February 2016

Ely Cathedral 15 February 2016

Under the Octagon.  In 1322 the original Norman tower collapsed and was replaced by the Octagon,
a structure of timber, glass and lead supported by eight massive stone pillars.


A shrouded tomb

The organ in the Choir

The main reason for our visit was to do the tour of the West Tower.  This view is from the start of the spiral staircase that is enclosed within the fabric of the Tower.

View of the Octagon, built in 1322 to replace the Norman tower that had collapsed.  

Catching our breath before the real climb begins

A passageway off the staircase in the original Norman Tower completed by 1189

The West Tower was completed in the late 14th century by the addition of a belfry to the existing Norman tower

At 215 feet (65.5m) high (and 288 steps up!) the view is splendid in all directions





The stairs exit at the top of one of four turrets





The half-timbered house in the foreground belonged to Oliver Cromwell