The Stained Glass Museum

The Stained Glass Museum The Stained Glass Museum is the only museum dedicated to the art of stained glass in the UK. Located in the heights of Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgshire.
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The Stained Glass Museum is the only museum in the UK dedicated to displaying and interpreting the art of stained glass to the public. The Stained Glass Museum is an independent museum and registered charity (no. 1169842) in the UK. The museum was founded in 1972 initially to rescue windows from redundant churches. The Museum first opened to the public in the north triforium of Ely Cathedral in 19

79. In 1997 an Appeal was set up to rebuild the Museum in the south triforium of Ely Cathedral. Our collection spans an enormous chronological range, showing the development of stained glass from the thirteenth to the twenty-first century. The Museum also has a growing collection of tools, and stained glass designs and cartoons related to the design and making of stained glass windows. A specialist library is available to researchers by appointment.

📆 Add these dates to the calendar: Join us this September for two FREE Open Days at The Stained Glass MuseumOn Friday 11...
03/09/2026

📆 Add these dates to the calendar: Join us this September for two FREE Open Days at The Stained Glass Museum

On Friday 11 September, join us for a special open evening and explore our gallery, after hours! Enjoy the beautiful glow as you meander through the gallery, experiencing our Nationally Designated collection which spans over nine centuries!

From medieval to modern, find out more with free spotlight tours all evening, as we delve deeper into the history of parts of our collection.

Then, on Sunday 13 September, join us a FREE open afternoon from 12:30 - 3:30pm. There will be free children's craft activities, the opportunity to see our recently extended exhibition, Wild Folk, and most excitingly, the opportunity to meet our stained glass conservator, Isabelle, see conservation in action and ask questions too! There will be lots for all ages to enjoy

✨✨EXHIBITION EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND✨✨This summer, our latest exhibition, Wild Folk: Painted Glass by Tamsin Abbo...
02/09/2026

✨✨EXHIBITION EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND✨✨

This summer, our latest exhibition, Wild Folk: Painted Glass by Tamsin Abbott has captivated our visitors!

We are delighted to announce that due to popular demand, we are able to extend this exhibition until February 2027!

Join us as we enter the enchanting world of Wild Folk, where ancient stones awaken, forgotten voices rise, and stories shimmer with magic, mystery, and wonder...

Step into this world of transformation and enchantment with this special exhibition which features a remarkable series of illustrations created entirely in glass for the book Wild Folk, recently shortlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books

Chosen for its alchemical qualities and symbolic connection to the book’s themes of shapeshifting and transformation, glass is the perfect medium for Tamsin Abbott’s beautiful illustrations. Through the transformative power of glass, simple materials are turned into something luminous and jewel like.

Filled with animals from the land, sea and sky, this exhibition is perfect for all ages. Come along and read the folk tales alongside seeing these beautiful illustrations.

This is the first time these captivating panels have been exhibited since the book’s launch, offering a rare opportunity to experience Wild Folk as a stunning collection of glass artworks in their own right.

Want to find out more? Come along to our online talk with the artist, Tamsin Abbott, on 30 September: Wild Folk and the Illuminating Alchemy of Glass with Tamsin Abbott

Last week, the museum's spent two fantastic days at the ‘Celebration of Makers’ event at Two Temple PlaceThis beautiful ...
01/09/2026

Last week, the museum's spent two fantastic days at the ‘Celebration of Makers’ event at Two Temple Place

This beautiful building, a dazzling neo-Tudor gem on Victoria Embankment, was commissioned by William Waldorf Astor and built in the 1890s. It is filled with extraordinary carvings, stained glass, sculptures and many other remarkable details. They host events and exhibitions throughout the year, and we absolutely encourage you to visit if you are able to!

The event brought together skilled makers to showcase traditional crafts and practices. The museum shared the process behind the making of a stained glass, taking inspiration from the beautiful 1895 Clayton & Bell windows in the main hall.

We also had the opportunity to learn more about gilding, sculpture, conservation and much more from the talented City & Guilds students.

Some may also remember the spring 2024 exhibition, ‘The Glass Heart’, at Two Temple Place, to which the museum was delighted to loan several pieces.

Over the two days, we enjoyed speaking with more than 1,000 people who stopped by to discover more about our work. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello!

A reminder that The Stained Glass Museum is open today, bank holiday Monday, from 10am -5pm as usual - see you there! Th...
31/08/2026

A reminder that The Stained Glass Museum is open today, bank holiday Monday, from 10am -5pm as usual - see you there!

There is so much to see, do and enjoy across the beautiful city of Ely, including our unique museum, nestled in the rafters of the Cathedral's south triforium.

In the gallery, find over 140 beautifully illuminated stained glass windows, which span over 9 centuries! The glass comes to the museum from across the world, including a range of secular and sacred buildings.

With something for all ages to enjoy, including hands-on activities, dressing up and crafts, your ticket also acts as your annual pass, meaning you can visit again and again for a full year!

With FREE parking across the city, lots of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy, there is something for everyone this bank holiday in Ely

📣📣📣 Retail Opportunity for Artists 📣📣📣Would you like your work to be showcased by The Stained Glass Museum, both in our ...
29/08/2026

📣📣📣 Retail Opportunity for Artists 📣📣📣

Would you like your work to be showcased by The Stained Glass Museum, both in our beautiful Gift Shop and as part of our curated selection at the annual Gift & Food Fair at Ely Cathedral this November?

We are currently inviting applications from talented artists and craftspeople to be considered for inclusion in our festive collection and museum gift shop.

We’d love to hear from artists creating high-quality stained glass gifts, decorations and small-scale works. We're keen to find distinctive pieces that would make thoughtful and memorable presents.

Each year, we showcase a selection of independent glass artists on our stall, offering visitors the opportunity to discover and purchase distinctive pieces made by makers from across the UK. With around 15,000 visitors, the Ely Cathedral Christmas Fair is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your work to a large and engaged audience at one of the region’s most popular Christmas shopping events.

✨ Interested in being considered?

Visit our website to find out more and for full details on how to apply:
stainedglassmuseum.com/workwithus

Know an artist who should see this opportunity? Tag them below and help us bring even more colour, craftsmanship and light to our collection this Christmas!

During the upcoming bank holiday weekend, The Stained Glass Museum will be open as usual!We'll be open from 10am - 5pm o...
28/08/2026

During the upcoming bank holiday weekend, The Stained Glass Museum will be open as usual!

We'll be open from 10am - 5pm on Saturday and Monday, and closed on Sunday.

There is so much to see, do and enjoy across the beautiful city of Ely, including our unique museum, nestled in the rafters of the Cathedral's south triforium.

In the gallery, find over 140 beautifully illuminated stained glass windows, which span over 9 centuries! The glass comes to the museum from across the world, including a range of secular and sacred buildings.

With something for all ages to enjoy, including hands-on activities, dressing up and crafts, your ticket also acts as your annual pass, meaning you can visit again and again for a full year!

With FREE parking across the city, lots of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy, there is something for everyone this bank holiday in Ely

We’re excited to be at this Celebration of Makers event at Two Temple Place again this year!Find us there on Thursday & ...
26/08/2026

We’re excited to be at this Celebration of Makers event at Two Temple Place again this year!

Find us there on Thursday & Friday from 11am-6pm for this FREE event

There’s lots to see, try and learn at the event & we’ll be chatting all about stained glass of course!

Do pop in if you’re in London!

More info here: https://twotempleplace.org/cultural-programme/celebration-of-makers-2

Our next SGMinis: Fun for Under 5s at The Stained Glass Museum session is just around the corner!Join us on Wednesday 2n...
26/08/2026

Our next SGMinis: Fun for Under 5s at The Stained Glass Museum session is just around the corner!

Join us on Wednesday 2nd September from 10:00-11:30 to join in the fun!

We meet on the first Wednesday of every month up in the Stained Glass Museum & our theme this month is Shapes Galore 🔴🟩📐🔷

Tickets, which should be booked in advance, are just £3 per child - you can book online here: https://the-stained-glass-museum.myshopify.com/products/sg-minis

Each of our fun, friendly sessions is filled with activities, songs, stories and crafts, linked to one of our beautiful windows

We can’t wait to see you and your little ones 👶

We're delighted to introduce our autumn series of talks for 2026!Bookings are now open, via our website for each talk, o...
25/08/2026

We're delighted to introduce our autumn series of talks for 2026!

Bookings are now open, via our website for each talk, or book all 3 to save a little extra!

We're really looking forward to;

Wild Folk and the Illuminating Alchemy of Glass with Tamsin Abbotton Wednesday 30 September at 7pm as we hear more from Tamsin Abbott on her creative practice and the beautiful glass she created to illustrate Wild Folk. Discover how folklore, landscape and fairytale are transformed into luminous stained glass through painting, sgraffito and engraving,

On Wednesday 7 October, join us for David Evans: The Use of Published Prints For His Designs with Jeff Hopewell to find out more about how David Evans drew on existing artworks for his stained glass designs, a practice widely accepted in the late Georgian and early Victorian periods. The talk considers how these artworks were adapted for glass and what they reveal about Evans’s artistic methods and influences.

Finally, on Wednesday 14 October, we look forward to The Life and Work of Trena Cox (1895-1980) with Aleta Doran will explore the career of this Chester-based twentieth-century stained glass artist, whose career spanned over 50 years. The talk will explore the circumstances in Cheshire in the first half of the twentieth century which enabled Cox to establish her career and construct her professional identity.

Find out more and book your tickets here: https://the-stained-glass-museum.myshopify.com/collections/tours-lectures

Reminder that it is our final Summer Sunday opening today, so do come and visit us at The Stained Glass Museum between 1...
23/08/2026

Reminder that it is our final Summer Sunday opening today, so do come and visit us at The Stained Glass Museum between 1-4pm today!

Enjoy our unique, nationally Designated collection which spans over 800 years of history. Find over 140 illuminated stained glass panels on display from medieval to modern, secular and sacred.

Tickets are just £6.50 and include an annual pass. Accompanied children enjoy FREE entry too.

Address

Ely Cathedral
Ely
CB74DL

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

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