Tucked away on St Mary's Street lies perhaps one of Ely's most famous cultural attractions.
The former home to one of England's most pioneering, yet divisive figures, Oliver Cromwell's House is quite easily the jewel in the city's crown.
But what makes the family home of England's former Lord Protector so culturally significant? And what goes on behind the scenes of this VisitEngland accredited attraction?
Oliver Cromwell’s House has roots dating back to the early part of the last millennium, with elements including the kitchen being the oldest part, dating to around 1190-1200.
The rest of the building has grown as its use has gradually changed over time.
From the family home of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th Century, it went on to house a public house called The Cromwell Arms in the 1800s and on to being the rectory for the Vicar of St Mary’s Church.
Now, it acts as the Tourist Information Centre and visitor attraction – with a pop up escape room experience and a wide variety of events and tours taking place in or departing from this remarkable building.
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Sales and events officer at Visit Ely, Matthew Routledge said: "One has to boil its significance down to the man's name, which is affixed to the property.
"For a decade, it was the home of the one of history's most divisive figures. Oliver Cromwell starts off a fairly low born gentleman in Huntingdon, he goes to University in Cambridge, his father passes he comes home and he's asked to take up the family mantle and run the farm.
"And it isn't until later life in his late thirties that he ends up in Ely at this house. Oliver Cromwell's House is the only building standing other than Hampton Court Palace where we can hand on heart say that Cromwell lived.
"This building is where many of the great turning points in English history occur. Cromwell was a resident of Ely at the time that things are going pear- shaped in Parliament and, ultimately, it's the last place he lived before he's thrown into a country of war and becomes Lord Protector."
For Matthew, who is based inside Oliver Cromwell's House, working in the building is the "greatest privilege of all".
He said: "Every morning that I walk into work, I am walking in the footsteps of Oliver Cromwell to get to the office of our administrative centre - not many people can say that.
"I walk through the same kitchen where Cromwell would have warmed himself by the fire and eaten and drunk with other members of Parliament and I walk up the staircase and through the house where Cromwell would have lived, where he would have worked and where perhaps, he slept either soundly or restlessly.
"Every step you take, every wall you brush against every noise, every exposed beam is inherently dipped and soaked in the history of England and in the history of Ely."
For more information on Oliver Cromwell House or to book an event, visit: olivercromwellshouse.co.uk
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