 The cathedral city of Peterborough is situated on the River Nene, in a notoriously flat and low-lying area that in some places lies below sea level. The area known as the Fens falls to the east of Peterborough.
Whether your interests are sightseeing, stately homes, shopping, history, river trips, markets, entertainment, activities, sports, events or eating out, Peterborough has something for all tastes and ages. There are acres of green open spaces, lakes and riverside parkland, a wide choice of places to eat, a thriving nightlife and a lively arts scene. Peterborough enjoys a a full programme of events both national and international, including the annual East of England Show, Peterborough Festival and CAMRA beer festival, the UKs biggest undercover beer festival, which takes place on the river embankment at the end of August each year.
Human settlement in the area dates back to before the Bronze Age, as can be seen at the Flag Fen archaeological site to the east of the current city centre. This site also shows evidence of Roman occupation. The Saxon period, during which time Peterborough was known by its original name Medeshampstede, saw the establishment of an abbey, which later became Peterborough Cathedral. The 1850 opening of the Great Northern Railway's main line from London to York transformed Peterborough from a market town to an industrial centre, particularly noted for its brick manufacture. The population grew rapidly and Peterborough was designated a New Town in the 1960s. The population is once again undergoing rapid expansion and a £1 billion regeneration of the city centre and immediately surrounding area is underway. How to get there
Peterborough is just 80 miles (128 km) from London and 40 miles (64 km) from Cambridge and is easily accessible from all parts of the UK and overseas. It has fast road connections via the A1(M) for north-south journeys and the A14 and A47 east-west routes. Peterborough is a major stop on the East Coast Main Line and the rapid rail connection takes about 50 minutes from London King´s Cross.
Local Attractions  The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew
Peterborough Cathedral is often claimed to be most beautiful Norman Cathedral in England. The first abbey was established at Peterborough (originally called Medeshamstede) in 655 AD and destroyed several times before being re-built in its present form between 1118 and 1238. Peterborough Cathedral is notable for for its imposing early English Great West Front Portico, which, with its three enormous arches, is arguably the most important Gothic construction in England. Also of importance is the original wooden ceiling that survives in the nave, the only one of its type in this country and one of only four wooden ceilings of this period (1230-1250) surviving in the whole of Europe. Despite being over-painted twice, it retains its original style and pattern.
The Cathedral has the distinction of having had two queens buried beneath its paving during the Tudor period. Katherine of Aragon's grave is in the North Aisle near the High Altar, whilst Mary Queen of Scots was buried on the opposite side of the altar, though her grave is now empty (she was re-buried in Westminster in 1612).
 The Guildhall
Peterborough's magnificent seventeenth century Guildhall was built shortly after the restoration of King Charles II, and is supported by columns to provide an open ground floor for the butter and poultry markets which used to be held there.
Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre
The Bronze Age archaeological site of Flag Fen was discovered in 1982, and comprises a large number of poles arranged in five long rows, connecting Whittlesey with Peterborough across the wet fenland. Part way across the structure, a small island was formed which is where it is presumed that religious ceremonies occurred. The site consists of a well-organised visitor centre with a museum which exhibits many of the artefacts found, including what is believed to be the oldest wheel in Britain, and reconstructions of 2 Bronze Age roundhouses and one from the Iron Age. There is also an exposed section of the Roman road known as the Fen Causeway which crosses the site and a reconstruction of a Prehistoric droveway.
Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery
Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery was built in 1816, and housed the city's first infirmary from 1857 to 1928. Highlights of the museum's local archaeology and social history collections include one of the best collections of Jurassic marine fossils in the world, the manuscripts of John Clare, the Northamptonshire Peasant Poet, and the Norman Cross collection of fascinating carved bone models made by French Prisoners of War in the early 19th century. The art collection contains an impressive variety of paintings, prints and drawings dating from the 1600s to the present day.
The Museum is also the city's most haunted building - you can join in a ghost tour if you dare!
 Longthorpe Tower
Longthorpe Tower, a fourteenth century three-storey tower and fortified manor house in the care of English Heritage, is situated about two miles (3 km) west of the city centre. It was added in 1310 to a fortified manor house and is now a Grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument protected by law. The interior contains the finest and best-surviving example of English mediæval domestic wall paintings in northern Europe, which survived under a layer of whitewash.
 Nene Valley Railway
For steam fans, take a nostalgic ride on the Nene Valley Railway, home to Thomas the famous children's steam engine! The Nene Valley Railway, a seven and a half mile (12 km) heritage railway, was one of the last passenger lines to fall under the Beeching Axe. In 1974 the Peterborough Development Corporation bought the Nene Valley line and leased it to the Peterborough Railway Society. It now runs between Peterborough Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction with three stops en route at Orton Mere, Ferry Meadows and Wansford. The Nene Valley Railway run the full-scale 'replica' of Thomas the Tank Engine at various special events, weekends and bank holidays.
For more comprehensive information on what Peterborough has to offer contact go to the Visit Peterborough website or Peterborough City Council's online What's On Guide Where to stay  Marriott Peterborough * SPECIAL VALUE 
Average Nightly Rate £125.00 The Peterborough Marriott is a modern hotel set in 11 acres of landscaped gardens within three miles of Peterborough and Flag Fen archaeological site. The 163 guestrooms are decorated in soft neutrals with patterned fabrics and wood furnishing. In-room amenities include satellite televisions with pay movies, direct-dial phones, trouser presses, minibars, coffee and tea makers, hair dryers, desks and safes. Guests can work up a sweat in the hotel's fitness room, go for a refreshing dip in the indoor pool and jetted tub and enjoy a relaxing stroll through the hotel gardens. Laurels Restaurant serves a wide range of international dishes in an elegant, traditional setting and those on business will benefit from the hotel's 11 meeting rooms. Guests can pamper themselves in the hotel's beauty shop and practical amenities include complimentary onsite parking, dry cleaning facilities and a concierge service on hand to offer sightseeing assistance. Peterborough Cathedral is half a mile away, Stamford and Burghley House are both within 16 miles, Wisbech is 23.5 miles away and Sandringham is within 44 miles. Stansted Airport is 37.5 miles away and takes approximately 65 minutes to reach by car. Area Attractions Cathedral - 0.5 miles (1 kilometre)
Peterborough - 1 mile (1.5 kilometres)
Flag Fen (archaeological site) - 2.5 miles (4 kilometres)
Stamford - 14.5 miles (23 kilometres)
Burghley House - 16 miles (26 kilometres)
Wisbech - 23.5 miles (38 kilometres)
Sandringham - 43.5 miles (70 kilometres) Driving Directions The Stansted Express rail service runs direct to London Liverpool Street Station at regularly intervals. There is also an hourly service to Birmingham. Coach services run to London Victoria Coach Station, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport. There is no taxi rank at Stansted; taxis must be booked at the taxi desk on the international arrivals concourse; fare is approximately 80 GBP to central London.
From the A1 southbound, turn left at the sign for Alwalton/Chesterton. Go through the village and at the T- junction turn left. Carry on to the next roundabout and the hotel is on the left. From the A1 Northbound, ignore Junction 17 sign posted A1139 Peterborough-Wisebech (A47). Carry on past the services and after 200 yards turn off on the left for Chesterton/Awalton. At the T- junction go left, continue to the next roundabout and turn left for the hotel.  Queensgate Hotel * SPECIAL VALUE* 
Average Nightly Rate £111.00 With many original architectural features, this 19th century house, the Queensgate Hotel, is set 500 meters from Peterborough's cathedral. more...  Ramada Peterborough * SPECIAL VALUE*
Average Nightly Rate £83.00 Description coming soon more... |
