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Sunday Lunch at The Old Hall Ely

At The Old Hall Ely, as well as our luxury hotel and wedding venue, we have a stunning fine dining restaurant, The Orangery. The Orangery restaurant provides the perfect setting to escape everyday life. With floor to ceiling windows, skylights, and bifold doors looking out over stunning views of the lakes and Ely Cathedral, diners can appreciate the restaurant’s interior design and welcoming atmosphere – all guaranteeing an unforgettable experience. Our talented chefs put a spin on classic British cuisine, always using ingredients from independent local butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers. If you’re looking for fine dining restaurants in Ely, near Cambridgeshire with quality food, The Orangery is a great choice. From the best afternoon tea options to our stunning Sunday lunches, we do really offer it all. Our Sunday lunch options are varied, filling and refined, often referred to as the best in Cambridgeshire!

Best sunday lunch cambridge

Our Sunday lunches are held in The Orangery, between midday and 4pm and we have options for vegetarian Sunday lunch as well as all dietary requirements. Starting off with a look into our first course options, soup of the day is a classic British favourite as well as roasted butternut squash and sage salad. Make a difficult decision between chicken liver parfait or our beautiful smoked haddock fishcake before diving in to your main course. 

For mains, our perfected Sunday lunch menu is truly unique. Our classic British roast dinner options such as roast Blythbourgh leg of pork, free range roast chicken or roast sirloin of Hereford beef are definitely the most popular choice. All served with Yorkshire puddings, duck fat roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and baked cheesy leeks and gravy. If a roast dinner isn’t something that you fancy, our varied options are for you! From baked fillet of plaice to wild mushroom and spinach rigatoni, these dishes are sure to hit the spot.

Roast dinner ely

After indulging in a feast of flavour why not treat yourself to a tasty dessert? Our stunning chocolate, almond and brioche pudding with crème anglaise is a family favourite and is sure to cure that sweet craving after a delicious lunch. It is difficult to decide between apple tart tatin, kirsch-soaked chocolate sponge, dark chocolate and cherry ice cream or steamed treacle sponge with a cinnamon biscuit ice cream, so why not share between your group and taste all of our sweet treats? To accompany your dessert and extend that quality time with your loved ones, enjoy a warming coffee or opt in for the fourth course of cheeses!

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As well as our delicious Sunday lunches, we also offer a wide range of dining experiences in The Orangery. Starting with breakfast, our famous traditional full English “The Cambridge” is our most popular dish on our breakfast menu, with Cumberland pork sausage, back bacon and more! Our chefs also create beautiful dishes such as eggs benedict, eggs royal and sweet waffles.

Our Sparkling afternoon tea sittings are my personal favourite due to the stunning setting you can enjoy this sophisticated treat! Overlooking Ely Cathedral, you can enjoy a selection of sandwiches on homemade bread, a range of scones, sweet treats such as macarons and our family recipe carrot cake whilst sipping on organic cava or tea and coffee.

Charcuterie Dinners are a big hit for our hotel guests who can enjoy a delightful board of meats and cheeses whilst unwinding by one of our open fires. A glass of red goes down a treat with our charcuterie boards and they are perfect for an early meal after work.

Why Attend a Wedding Open Day at The Old Hall Ely

The Old Hall Ely Wedding Open Days and Evenings are not events you’d want to miss and are arguably the best Wedding Fairs in Cambridgeshire! Our team work hard to pull these spectacular days together and to ensure that our lucky guests can meet the top suppliers in East Anglia. From cake makers to bridal boutiques and live entertainment, we really do pull out all the stops! As well as the range of fantastic suppliers who will be attending, our dedicated team are always on hand to answer any questions about our amazing venue and give in depth tours of our house and grounds.  

Our next Open Day is approaching and we can’t wait to welcome all of the excited couples! On the Third of December, from 12pm to 5pm The Old Hall is open to all, no prebooking required. Our Venue shines brightest in the winter season, so this winter wedding open day will be particularly spectacular with sparkling lights and festive decorations. Just outside of Cambridge, The Old Hall Ely is the perfect wedding venue and is simple to get to.

Gather your friends and family and get ready for a day of winter wedding inspiration! From wedding flower inspiration, to wedding cake décor, our team and suppliers will be here to help. Come and see our wedding venue in full swing and enjoy complimentary Canapés and a Glass of Organic Cava whilst interacting with our fantastic team. Tour our bedrooms and house and get inspired by live entertainment!

We can’t wait to see everyone there, no need to book!

Steak Nights at The Old Hall Ely

Nestled within an idyllic mile just outside of Ely in Cambridgeshire, this grand Jacobean manor house offers a range of experiences. At The Old Hall Ely, we offer an unparalleled English Country House hotel and fine dining restaurant experience, as well as exclusive use weddings. Enjoy our Luxurious Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, host your Exclusive Wedding, book a Private Party or Corporate Event, or an Evening Dinner, Afternoon Tea, and Sunday Lunch Experience. Our steak nights are one of our most popular experiences, our fine dining restaurant is transformed into a steak house and we become the best place for steak near Cambridge! Take in the romantic lakeside and the majestic Ely Cathedral views from The Orangery whilst you experience fine dining with us.

Join us for an incredible evening of Fine Dining in Cambridgeshire at our popular Steak Nights! From 5.45pm until late, we will be serving a delicious variety of steaks and fish. Choose between a stunning Sirloin steak, Picanha steak or our surf & turf with black tiger prawns. All of our perfectly cooked steaks are served with rosemary salted triple cooked chips, roasted cherry tomatoes and a bone marrow butter. Our chefs have also perfected fish and vegetarian options at our steak night, including seared seabass fillet and cauliflower steak. We have some delicious wines to also pair perfectly with your chosen dish as well as special cocktails including our famous espresso martini.

Upcoming Steak Nights

Due to the success of our steak nights, we have launched more dates. Coming up in November, we have Saturday, 4th and Saturday 18th dedicated to our steak nights. The 4th will be suited to bonfire night and guests will be able to enjoy the amazing firework display in Ely from the comfort of The Old Hall Ely! Our fires will be roaring, creating a warming, cosy atmosphere for all of our guests, if you wish to attend, please book here soon to avoid disappointment.

Elevate Your Experience

Why not upgrade your night with a Luxury stay in one of our 16 beautiful rooms? Arrive early and try our famous family recipe carrot cake and a tea or coffee on us in the sitting room, before getting ready for an evening of fine dining. Elevate the evening by having an extra special stay with us and enjoy a delicious, cooked to order hot breakfast in the morning, such as Eggs Benedict, Eggs Royale or our famous ‘Cambridgeshire’ Breakfast. All rooms at The Old Hall Ely have The White Company toiletries, a Dyson pure hot & cool purifier fan heater, a Nespresso Capsule Machine and tea making station with English biscuits, a flat-screen television and 5-star quality bed linen. Click here to view our English Countryside Hotel rooms and book now!

Things to do in Ely

Winter vs Summer Weddings

What to think about: Summer vs Winter Weddings

Deciding which season to host your wedding is best is an important decision as it impacts the entire planning process of your big day! Whether it is what flowers to choose for a winter wedding or what wedding dress styles are best for the seasons, we will compare summer vs winter wedding ideas and trends. At The Old Hall Ely, our venue is stunning in every season!

Summer Weddings

In the summer season our patios, gardens and terraces make excellent entertaining spaces for games, drinks and live music. The pros of a summer wedding are definitely the warmer weather and the opportunity to have an outside ceremony. As well as the weather, another pro is the natural pops of colour found in the blossoming flowers and bright blue skies that can match the pastel accent colours you can include. Wedding dress inspiration for the summer is one to look for, short-sleeve dresses, pastel additions or backless wedding dresses suit this season best. Wedding photography inspiration is a big topic when planning your wedding and the summer season creates a stunning backdrop and opens more possibilities for those everlasting memories!

However, as with every season there are summer wedding cons to be considered. Firstly, English weather is unpredictable during the summer season and risking the planning of your day completely changing due to the weather can be stressful. On the contrary, a soaring temperature can make for an uncomfortable day so we suggest hosting your ceremony at a later time of day, once the temperature starts to decrease. Another thing to think about when planning a summer wedding is the availability of your desired guests as many enjoy summer vacations over these months.

wedding venue

Winter Weddings

A winter wedding can be more unique and exciting due to the festive spirit on the lead up to Christmas. You can involve festive decorations and Christmas trees in your big day and showcase stunning seasonal colours such as golds and reds. The chances of snowfall make for a beautiful backdrop and you can explore the contrasts of light and dark when taking your everlasting photographs. As any season, the extra special touches make the biggest impact although during the festive season you can amplify the sparkle and shine! Fireplaces, candles and perfect lighting create an intimate setting for your wedding reception. Alongside the comforting atmosphere, in the winter season you can also present warming drinks such as mulled wine or festive themed cocktails.

Winter weddings do also have flaws, such as the number of guests you wish to be available to attend as the festive season is often the busiest, we suggest sending out your invitations earlier than usual if you are opting for a wedding in the winter. Obviously, the weather is a large contender to the success of the day as wet, stormy weather could surprise you and the hours of light in the day can be restricted. However, always be prepared with umbrellas and make sure you are happy to make the best out of the weather on your big day.

Winter Wedding Venue Open Day

At The Old Hall Ely, we absolutely love the festive season and to host stunning winter weddings for our couples. With roaring fires, ornate decorations, cosy interior spaces and our gardens lit with spectacular lights which contrast beautifully against the dark skies, our venue shines so bright in winter! To showcase the magical atmosphere during this season, we are opening our doors to all the couples to be for a Winter Wedding Open Day! If you’re recently engaged, or are one of the lucky few to have already booked your wedding with us, then this is an event you don’t want to miss out on. No need to book a ticket, just gather your friends and family and get ready for an amazing day of winter wedding inspiration! We can’t wait to meet you there.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Explore Our House and Grounds
  • See Our Wedding Venue in Full Swing
  • Meet Cambridgeshire’s Top Suppliers
  • Enjoy Complimentary Canapés and a Glass of Organic Cava
  • Meet The Team
  • Tour Our Bedrooms
  • Enjoy Live Entertainment

We look forward to greeting all of our guests, please contact us if you have any questions or click here to learn more!

Things to consider when planning a Festive Wedding

Things to think about when planning a Festive Wedding

Winter Weddings are magical, from the crisp frosty backdrops outside to the cosy fireplaces and decorations inside. Hosting your wedding during the festive period allows you to make the most of the Christmas spirit and gather all of your loved ones. Although it may appear overwhelming to plan, we are here to help! At The Old Hall Ely, what matters are the extra special touches that make each wedding personal to every one of our couples. Read our top tips for a Winter Wedding below and learn more about our Open Day which will showcase just how magical The Old Hall Ely is, especially in the colder months.

Create a cosy backdrop

Steer away from the summer backdrop of colorful flowers and opt in for a festive theme from your florist or a roaring fire. There is also something special about beautifully lit Christmas trees creating the perfect backdrop for your photographs, which is why we feature no less than 20 when decorating The Old Hall for this season!

Blankets for guests

Ensuring that your guests can enjoy your ceremony as much as you, is key. Even though you are opting for the colder months, you can still host your ceremony or some parts of your celebration outside and make the most of the stunning frosty backdrops. To do so, blankets for guests is a must!

Winter wedding ideas

Seasonal details on the cake

Whether you include dried flowers, berries or frosted foliage, seasonal details on your wedding cake add that special touch. Our favourite festive wedding cake trend is a gold touch. From flecks of gold leaf or drip to an entire gold tier, this is guaranteed to create a sense of opulence and show off the beautiful festive feel to your special day.

Winter wedding cake idea

Serve Festive cocktails and drinks

Something that definitely can’t be missed out on your big day, is a selection of warming winter drinks! Be inventive with your choices, why not include; a festive baileys cocktail, warming mulled wine or add that typical Christmas sparkle with bubbles.

Winter Wedding Venue Open Day

To show off how amazing a festive wedding is, The Old Hall Ely team are opening our doors to all couples for a Winter Wedding Showcase! If you’re recently engaged, or are one of the lucky few to have already booked your wedding with us, then this is an event you don’t want to miss out on. Our wedding venue in Cambridgeshire shines brightest in the winter season. Our roaring fires, ornate decorations, cosy interior spaces and our gardens lit with spectacular lights create a beautiful contrast against the dark skies.
At our winter wedding open day, hosted on Sunday, 3rd of December from 12pm until 5pm, there will be the opportunity to explore our beautiful house and grounds whilst enjoying complimentary canapés and a glass of organic bubbles. As darkness begins to fall, our gardens and grounds will light up with sparkles as the afternoon rolls on. It will be truly magical and we do not want you to miss out. The Old Hall Ely are also delighted to partner with Cambridgeshire’s top wedding suppliers, from florists to live entertainment so you can have your pick from the best for your special day!
There is no need to book a ticket, just gather your friends and family and get ready for an amazing day of winter wedding inspiration! We can’t wait to meet you there.

The Old Hall

Why should you get married at The Old Hall Ely

If you are looking for a romantic, exclusive, and luxurious wedding venue in the heart of Cambridgeshire, then you should consider getting married at The Old Hall Ely. Here are some reasons why this stunning Jacobean manor house is the perfect choice for your special day:

 

Exclusive Use

The Old Hall Ely offers exclusive use for couples who want to have the entire venue and grounds for themselves and their guests. You can enjoy the privacy and intimacy of having your own country house, with 16 hotel rooms, a honeymoon suite, a restaurant, a bar, and various entertaining spaces. You can also book the venue for two nights, which gives you more time to relax and celebrate with your loved ones.

Stunning Location

The Old Hall Ely Grounds and back of house
The Old Hall Ely Grounds and back of house

The Old Hall Ely is situated in a beautiful setting, overlooking three ornamental lakes and Ely Cathedral. The venue boasts 10 acres of landscaped gardens, which are ideal for outdoor ceremonies, photoshoots, and receptions. The venue also offers breath-taking views of the sunset and the night sky, creating a magical atmosphere for your wedding.

 

Your drinks reception

Bar area, bookshelf, interior design

A wonderful open-plan area, the Bar and Cathedral Terrace let your guests enjoy the optimal drinks reception with spectacular views of Cambridgeshire. You have the option to choose what to drink and eat. You can savour a glass of sparkling wine or a chilled summer Pimms, and some of our tasty and refined canapés. You don’t have to worry about anything. Just relax, have fun and enjoy the scenery.

 

Award-Winning Service

The Old Hall Ely is a family-owned venue that prides itself on providing excellent hospitality and service. The venue has won several awards. The venue also has a dedicated events management team that will guide you through every step of the planning process and ensure that your wedding is tailored to your preferences and needs. The venue also has a talented team of chefs that will create a delicious wedding breakfast using fresh and local ingredients.

 

Wedding Breakfast

Our team is passionate about creating a wonderful and unforgettable wedding breakfast for you and your guests. We prepare all our scrumptious and fresh dishes on-site, using the finest ingredients and the skills of our expert chef team. We are devoted to weddings and we treat every couple as part of our family. We offer a wide range of options that can be customized to suit your vision and taste. In addition, we provide all the essentials for your wedding breakfast, such as catering and service staff, a cake stand and knife, all glassware, cutlery and crockery, table linen, tables, and chairs. Moreover, once you have secured your wedding date with us, you’ll be welcomed to a taster experience where you’ll have the opportunity to sample all our mouth-watering food and experience our outstanding hospitality

 

Breakfast at The Old Hall Ely
Breakfast at The Old Hall Ely

Versatile Spaces

The Old Hall Ely offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces that can accommodate different styles and sizes of weddings. the stunning pavilion, which overlooks the lakes and gardens with Ely Cathedral on the horizon.

The Old Hall Ely Grounds and back of house
The Old Hall Ely Grounds and back of house

 

As you can see, The Old Hall Ely is a remarkable wedding venue that offers everything you need for a memorable and luxurious wedding.

If you are interested in booking this venue or finding out more information, you can download their brochure, book a show round, or call us at 01353 663275.

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