Jubilee Gardens is located at the popular Ely riverside and provides the perfect link from the riverside to the city centre. The garden has open spaces for picnics and free play as well one of the five pieces of Eel artwork. It also has a toddler play area, water feature and bandstand. There are bug hotels, bird boxes and log piles situated throughout the gardens.
The gardens have secured Green Flag status since 2005. The award is designed to recognise and reward standards of excellence and is recognition of the high quality green space that the gardens provide to the local community in East Cambridgeshire.
The play area in the gardens include toddler and junior accessible play equipment. For further information on the play area, please see the following link to our Play Areas webpage:
East Cambridgeshire play areas
All areas of Jubilee Gardens are easily accessible and can be enjoyed by all. The garden is flat with no steps and has hard paths around the site. The local Friends Group helped fund and build a raised flower bed for easier access for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users.
The Friends of Jubilee Gardens were formed in 2003 and provide continued public participation in developing and maintaining the gardens. The Friends also carry out fundraising activities and help to promote the gardens. Further details on the Friends Group can be found on the Friends of Jubilee Gardens website.
There are several events that take place at Jubilee Gardens throughout the year. There are riverside concerts from local bands during the summer months. These concerts are free of charge. For further information, please contact City of Ely Council.
The district’s Eel Festival is centred around Jubilee Gardens. The popular festival includes a parade, Town Criers' Competition and the World Eel Throwing Competition. There are also arena events which include folk music, eel pottery workshops, music and dancing, historical displays and re-enactments with lots of family participation opportunities. For further information on the Eel Festival, please see the Ely Eel Festival website.
Aquafest is organised by the Rotary Club of Ely and is enjoyed by many visitors of all ages and interests. Aquafest covers three sites along the riverside – Jubilee Gardens, Lavender Green and the Malting's Green. The festival includes a fun fair, food and drink stalls and a miscellany of charity stalls. A major event is the Annual Raft Race on the River Ouse with numerous decorated rafts. For further information on the Aquafest, please see Ely Aquafest website.
Ely’s Eel Trail is a circular marked route throughout the city incorporating all of the major attractions and sights. The route passes through Jubilee Gardens connecting Ely riverside with Ely Country Park and the city centre.
The nearest public toilets are in Ship Lane car park, less than 5 minutes’ walk from the gardens. These public toilets offer extended opening hours in the summer. For further information, please see our public toilet directory.
There is a regular bus and train service which will bring you into Ely. The train station is located roughly a 10 minute walk away, following the riverside path heading towards the city. The main bus services terminal is located on Market Street in the hub of the city.
The main routes into Ely are via the A10 and A142. There are several car parks available in Ely City Centre, all of these offer free parking, except Angel Drove and The Dock Car Parks. Please see our car park directory for further information on these car parks.
The gardens are easily accessible by bicycle and are part of the cycle network.
If using the 'What three words' location app, Jubilee Gardens is located at ///artichoke.lunged.dented
We hope you enjoy your visit and if you have any ideas to improve the site please let us know on 01353 665555.