Ghostly goings-on boost takings at Cromwell’s House in Ely

AN influx of intrepid ghost-hunters has seen takings rocket at one of Ely’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Last year, East Cambridgeshire District Council’s tourism team decided to push the appeal of Oliver Cromwell’s House as a hotspot for paranormal activity in a bid to boost the number of overnight bookings.

In 2010/11 the house brought in just �122 from visitors staying the night but a clamour for all things paranormal has seen revenues rocket to �1,843 in just 12 months, an increase of more than 1500 per cent.

According to the council, the Lord Protector lived in Ely for 10 years during the 17th Century and it is rumoured that the ghost of Cromwell and his wife still lurk in the bedrooms and kitchen.

The Cambridge Paranormal Group has also carried out a study at the house in the recent past.

The council’s tourism leader Tracey Harding said: “Despite the economic downturn, Oliver Cromwell’s House has seen a year on year increase in all aspects of the business, with the exception of tour income, and the vast majority of the targets set in the previous business plan were met.

“The next two years aim to build on this success and endeavour to further raise income levels and provide services which meet visitor expectations.”

It was also a record 2011/12 for the house in terms of admission figures, up 12 per cent to 14,841, admission income, up by more than �6,000 and income from souvenirs, up about �3,000 to �29,429.