AS soon as you step through the door into the parlour of Oliver Cromwell s House in St Mary s Street, Ely, you arrive back in the 17th Century. Life-like models of the Cromwell family are gathered around the fire and a commentary tells the history of the

AS soon as you step through the door into the parlour of Oliver Cromwell's House in St Mary's Street, Ely, you arrive back in the 17th Century. Life-like models of the Cromwell family are gathered around the fire and a commentary tells the history of the family, house and why they moved to Ely in 1636.

The tour then moves to the kitchen which is laid out as it would have been for Oliver's wife, Elizabeth.

In the Portrait Room is a 15 minute film of Oliver's life and times, and his life in the fens in Tithe Office, both are well worth watching. The Civil War Exhibition, gives the opportunity for children and families to dress in period clothes and trying on the different hats is great fun! The study and the haunted bedroom are particularly atmospheric, with sound effects, commentary and models of Oliver at his desk and on his deathbed.

Overall, the models add a good sense of reality and the information boards and displays are informative and imaginatively displayed. Both presentations give an excellent background and the commentaries add a sense of the period.

The museum will appeal to families and adults alike, it really does capture a feeling of walking back in time. Children particularly remember the last scene where, as the commentary progresses, a portrait of Oliver by the bed changes to the death mask.