The Octagon and Lantern, Ely Cathedral

The Cathedral dates from just after the Norman Conquest and it originally had a central tower which collapsed in 1322. As a replacement an octagonal tower was built surmounted by a octagonal lantern constructed of wood using 8 massive oak timbers measuring 68ft in length. There is no internal support - just a wooden framework of smaller (but still massive) struts on top of the stone tower. It is covered with lead on the outside. Inside it is fantastic - you can see it here It is possible to go up the tower and walk inside the framework of the lantern. The paintings are on wooden panels, some of which open so from the top you can look down into the cathedral. The stained glass windows above light the centre of the building. Photographing the inside of the octagon is easier if it is a dullish day - bright sunlight burns out the colours of the glass on the sunny side. The ceiling of the nave and transept is decorated too, but it is difficult to photograph with the light coming from the lantern - so I took two identical shots, one exposed for the ceiling, the other for the lantern, then merged them together. This is easily my favourite local building to photograph - and fortunately they permit non-tripod photography too!