Cromwell’s House

I have never liked Oliver Cromwell. Part of this stems from having to study the ‘Puritan Revolution’ at A-level and part because I have always found his portrait slightly sinister. However, I decided that trying to learn more about him might help me to rectify this so I headed for the house in Ely which was his family home and is now open as a museum.

The house is near to the cathedral, with a pretty green in front of it. Born in nearby Huntingdon on the 25th April 1599, Oliver Cromwell lived in this house when he was left leases on various properties in Ely by his uncle, including this one in Ely, where Oliver moved with his family in 1636 and remained for just over ten years.

The room where you enter now doubles as the Tourist Information Office. On purchasing your ticket (£8 when I visited) you are given an audio tour which guides you round the house. In addition to this are plenty of information boards, offering additional facts about every day life as well as Cromwell and his family.

The museum is very well presented with interactive displays and games as well as costumes to try on. Acknowledging that Cromwell is a figure who divides opinion, information given in every room encourages visitors to consider evidence and come to their own conclusion as to whether he was a champion of liberty or a power hungry tyrant. I really enjoyed my visit- but my opinion of the man didn’t change!

The audio tour finishes before the final room of the house in which a commentary starts as you enter. I really did not like this room which was dark and shadowy, containing the bed in which Cromwell lay dying! I made it through, although I listened to most of the commentary with the door open! Such a coward!

I might not be a convert to the Cromwell fan club, but this museum is well worth a visit!

Oliver Cromwell’s House,

29 St Mary's St,

Ely

CB7 4HF