The Dog Friendly Map
®
Days Out Are For Dogs Too
Dog-Friendly Ely
Last Updated:
11 Sept 2026
Ely is a compact cathedral city offering walkable heritage streets, riverside paths along the River Great Ouse and independent shops. Routes extend through Cherry Hill Park and Jubilee Gardens to the riverside, continuing north and east to water meadows, reed beds and Roswell Pits Nature Reserve. Mapped hospitality venues provide indoor shelter across pubs, cafés and shops, with garden centres on the edge of the city. A characterful base for a historic cathedral visit combined with relaxed waterside walking.
Explore dog-friendly Ely
Days Out
Pubs and Bars
.png)
Shops
.png)
Cafes / Restaurants
.png)
Dog Fields for Hire
.png)
Garden Centres
.png)
Dog Washes
.png)
Top Dog-Friendly Picks
Short on time? Start with these three Ely favourites: a central pub, a riverside tearoom and a guided punt tour.
The Prince Albert is a proper Ely local where dogs are welcome inside the bar area and food is served there too. The kitchen runs lunchtimes and evenings, with all-day Saturdays and Sunday roasts. Useful for indoor seating and a meal.
Peacocks Tearoom and Fine B&B welcomes dogs inside the seating area, so the whole group can settle in for tea, coffee and home-cooked food together. It sits in a useful riverside spot near the cathedral. That straightforward indoor access turns a quick pause into a genuine break.
Rutherford Punts offers guided tours along the river with dogs welcome on board, drifting past the College Backs and under iconic bridges. For shared tours, other customers need to be happy with your dog joining, but private bookings keep things simple.
Ely at a glance
Outdoor Access
Best Parking
Rainy Day Potential
Best For...
Nearby Dog-Friendly Towns
Exploring further? These nearby dog-friendly towns are a short drive away and just as useful when dogs need to be welcome inside.
Explore dog-friendly Cambridge
Explore dog-friendly Thetford
Explore dog-friendly Bury St Edmunds
Easy dog-friendly plans
Quick visit
Cathedral Quarter and Riverside
1–3 hours · Best for first-time visitors and compact exploring
Half-day plan
Town Browse and Garden Centre
2–4 hours · Best for bookshops, bakery treats and fenland retail
Longer wander
Private Field and Village Pub
3–5 hours · Best for secure off-lead exercise and fenland villages
Is Ely a good place to visit with a dog?
+
Yes, Ely is a good place to visit with a dog. The compact cathedral city offers 18 dog-friendly indoor venues on TDFM, including cafés, pubs and tearooms where dogs are welcome inside. You'll find useful stops such as Peacocks Tearoom by the river, GAIL's Bakery on the High Street, and the Minster Tavern near the cathedral. The town centre is walkable, and nearby attractions such as Wicken Fen Nature Reserve offer proper outdoor exploring on lead. Ely combines heritage, refreshment stops and accessible green space in one manageable day out.
Can I take my dog inside pubs and cafes in Ely?
+
Yes, every pub and café shown on The Dog Friendly Map for Ely is included because dogs are welcome inside. That means you can settle in together at places such as Marmalade & Jam on the High Street, Drayman's Son micropub, or Peacocks Tearoom by the river without leaving your dog outside. Water bowls are available at Ben's Yard Café, and Prosper coffee shop on Broad Street often has resident dogs Eric and Betty around to greet visitors. Indoor access is confirmed across all 18 venues listed.
What can I do with my dog in Ely on a rainy day?
+
On a rainy day in Ely, head to one of the town's indoor-welcome cafés or pubs where your dog can settle beside you while you wait out the weather. Peacocks Tearoom by the river, Sophie's Afternoon Tea and Cakes on the High Street, and the Minster Tavern all welcome dogs inside for food and drinks. Ely Food Station beside the railway station is a practical stop for arrivals or departures. If you want to combine shelter with sightseeing, St Edmundsbury Cathedral in nearby Bury St Edmunds welcomes dogs on lead throughout the main visitor areas.
What dog-friendly family days out are there near Ely?
+
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, a short drive from Ely, is a strong family day out where dogs on lead are welcome across much of the reserve, including wildlife hides and open fen paths. Wimpole Estate near Cambridge offers parkland walks, marked trails and the Stables Café (dogs allowed inside and out), though dogs must stay on a short lead due to livestock and are not permitted in the Hall, Gardens or Home Farm. Both sites combine outdoor space, visitor facilities and educational interest for children, with clear dog-access rules to follow.
Is Ely easy to explore on foot with a dog?
+
Yes, Ely is easy to explore on foot with a dog. The historic town centre is compact, with the cathedral, High Street shops and riverside all within walking distance. You'll find dog-friendly cafés and pubs such as GAIL's Bakery, Marmalade & Jam and Peacocks Tearoom spaced along the main routes, making rest stops straightforward. Pavements are generally well-maintained, and the riverside path offers a quieter alternative to the busier shopping streets. For longer walks, Wicken Fen Nature Reserve is a short drive away and welcomes dogs on lead across the reserve.
Want us to do the planning for you?
Tell us where you’re going, who’s coming and what matters to you.
We’ll build you a personalised dog-friendly map with places chosen for your trip — from pubs and cafés to days out, easy parking, wet-weather options and more.
Every indoor welcome is checked, so you won’t arrive to find the dog has to stay outside.
Your personalised map: £14.99