Cambridgeshire's church estate centres on Ely Cathedral (the 'Ship of the Fens') and Cambridge's University Church (Great St Mary's). Around 330 CofE parishes across the Diocese of Ely plus substantial Catholic, Methodist, and University-related congregations. Strong fenland medieval church estate.
Notable churches in Cambridgeshire
- Ely Cathedral (Norman, the 'Ship of the Fens')
- Great St Mary's Cambridge (the University Church)
- Round Church Cambridge (one of four round churches in England)
- Our Lady and the English Martyrs Cambridge (RC, Hills Road)
- Wisbech St Peter and St Paul
Funding picture in Cambridgeshire
Ely Diocese Environment Plan grants (up to £20k) combine with Buildings for Mission, the 0% VAT rate for charitable-use buildings (to 31 March 2027), and CPCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority business grants. A typical funded parish project in Cambridgeshire combines national Buildings for Mission with the diocesan capital programme, Listed Places of Worship VAT for listed buildings, and (often) Allchurches Trust or local foundation grants. Combined coverage of 60-90% of capex is achievable for well-prepared projects.
For full diocese-specific detail see our Diocese of Ely page or our complete grants and funding guide.
Towns and cities we cover in Cambridgeshire
How we work in Cambridgeshire
- Free desk feasibility — typically inside 7 working days. PCC-ready report covering system size, capex, available grants, payback model.
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers visit. Diocesan architect engaged for listed buildings.
- Faculty / Listed Building Consent — for CofE parishes; civil regime for non-CofE buildings.
- Grant applications — Buildings for Mission, diocesan capital, charitable trusts.
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site for most parish projects.
Related counties and resources
NEIGHBOURING COUNTIES