The City of Ely is one of our favourite places to visit during the early part of the year. Surrounded by wide skies and open fenland, it radiates a sense of spaciousness that seems magical in such a small place; all calm and contemplative, and far from the stresses of the daily grind.

It’s a city of old stone walls and tall twisted chimneys, cozy cafes, and, of course, a famous cathedral. A bracing riverside walk out of the city gave us the best views of this, the Ship of the Fens, with its impressive towers and marvelous lantern.

Our route back brought us into the marina, past Babylon Arts, to the inviting Peacock tearoom, and Waterside Antiques. The latter, spread over three sprawling floors and packed to the rafters, is a much-loved haunt. We have lost ourselves for hours poring over precariously stacked pieces of china and shelf upon shelf of vintage glasses, rummaging through antique prints, and rooting through boxes of old tradesmen’s tools. Jewellery sparkles in the cabinets at the entrance, silverware shines, and old glass bottles catch the remnants of afternoon light along the window sills. It’s the perfect place for anyone with a magpie’s eye.

Up creaking staircases we climb and make our way, oh so slowly, through room after room stuffed with curios and paraphernalia, full of delight as to what we might uncover next.  In dreary weather there’s no better tonic than to bag some inexpensive treasures and to return home with a head full of new ideas for styling the house.

Images by Helen Duncan