Ely.

Beneath the octagonal tower of its Norman cathedral, Ely rises out of the flat Cambridgeshire fens like an island in a sea of farmland, a reminder of the days when this was literally so. Wander the cobbled lanes and you will find plenty of spots to pause, from cafes tucked near the riverside to family-run restaurants serving up hearty local fare. For an overnight stay, a handful of characterful hotels keep travellers close to the cathedral's shadow.