Visitors to Ely this Sunday can hear harrowing tales from Civil War soldiers or chat to Mrs Cromwell about what her husband like to eat if they take a trip to Oliver Cromwell’s House.

On Sunday 5 May, it will be Living History Day in Ely where people can learn what it was like to live, work and fight in the 17th Century.

The action is all happening around Oliver Cromwell’s House, where people can see the Civil War period come alive with craft demonstrations, cookery lessons from the 1600s and chat to re-enactors camped outside the world famous building.

Tracey Harding, Tourism Team Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "Oliver Cromwell’s House is an incredible place where many visitors come to get an insight into how life was in the 17th century. Life could be very tough in the 1600s and to explain why we have organised our Living History day for people to chat to re-enactors about many of the challenges from the past.

"On the Sunday, visitors can learn how Mrs Cromwell made her famous Eel Pie and have the opportunity of tasting some smoked eel, see how she spun wool for knitting and speak to civil war soldiers about life on the battlefields. It all helps us all to understand a little of the rich history which is all around us in East Cambridgeshire so come and see us this weekend."

Admission prices for Oliver Cromwell’s House start at £4.50 for adults with concessions £4.00, children at £3.10 or a family ticket (2 adult & 3 children) available at £13.00.

Living History is part of Ely’s Eel Festival which continues into Bank Holiday Monday morning with a number of events.

These include a guided walk around the City’s Eel Trail, the Friends of Jubilee Gardens hosting their annual ‘Song and Dance’ down by the river with performances from the Octagon Studios, and the Flower, Food and Craft Market on Ely’s Market Place where a host of traders will be selling their fine produce.

For further information about the day, contact Aileen Sharp, Tourism Development Officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council on 01353 616397 or check out the website at www.visitely.org.uk.