Stone worktops in Ely

A city on an island

Ely sits on an island of Kimmeridge Clay about 60 square kilometres across. At 26 metres it is the highest land in the Fens, which is why the cathedral can be seen for miles. Building began in 1083, and when the central tower collapsed on 22 February 1322 it was replaced with the famous Octagon, finished in 1328.

The Fens around the city were drained in the 17th century. Ely stopped being a true island then, but the name Isle of Ely stuck.

Older houses and listed interiors

Ely has 23 Grade I, six Grade II* and 153 Grade II listed buildings. Oliver Cromwell lived in one of them, the former St Mary's vicarage, from 1636 to 1646. If your home is listed, changes inside can need consent as well as changes outside, so speak to East Cambridgeshire District Council before work starts.

Old walls are rarely straight. Templating means the stone follows the wall exactly, so there is no gap behind the worktop for an upstand to hide.

A growing city

Ely's population has grown quickly, from about 15,100 in 2001 to over 20,500 at the 2021 census. Many of the newer homes now have kitchens that are ready for an upgrade. If the units are sound, replacing just the worktops with quartz or granite transforms the room for far less than a new kitchen.

Fitting in Ely

Tell us the floor the kitchen is on and anything awkward about the route in, such as narrow passages in the older streets near the cathedral or steps up to the door. We size long pieces so they can be carried in without risk.