Peterborough & area

Peterborough - The only cathedral city to become a new town, Peterborough combines the best elements of past and present. See a 150 million year old Plesiosaur in the City museum and take a look at the magnificent Norman Cathedral. Come bang upto date with a visit to the Ice Rink, Ten Pin Bowling Alley or a walk around 500 acre Nene Park, with the chance to sail or fish in the River Nene.


Ancient Monuments

Croyland Abbey (North of Peterborough) Built c 1114can be seen for miles in the flat landscape.   Excellent exhibition portraying its chequered history.
Flag Fen Bronze Age Excavation (Peterborough) Bronze Age remains on timber platform. Reconstruction at one tenth life size of Flag Fen 3,000 years ago.  Visitor centre.
Guildhall (Cathedral Square, Peterborough) 17c building which in Tudor times was the Butter Cross, an open shelter where the city weights and measures were kept, and traders were allowed to sell produce.
Longthorpe Tower (EH) (Nr Peterborough) 14c three story tower of fortified manor house. 14c biblical and instructive wall paintings, most complete set of such paintings in England.   Peterborough Cathedral (Peterborough) Built between 1118 and 1238 of local Barnack Limestone.  Contains magnificent 13c hand painted ceiling.
Thorney Abbey Church (7m NE Peterborough) Abbey church dating from c1100 with fine church organ originally built 1787-1790.


Gardens

Peakirk Waterfowl  Gardens (7m N Peterborough B1443)  Flamingoes and many species of duck, geese and swans in 17 acres of water gardens.
Ferry Meadows Country Park.(2m  W Peterborough)  500 acre country park with grassland, woodland, and lakes. Sailing, fishing, rowing, riding or walking.


Historic Houses

Burghley House ( Stamford) Built in 1587 by William Cecil, 18 State rooms on show which includes a fine art collection housed in splendid surroundings with decorated fireplaces and ceilings painted by Verrio.
Elton Hall ( 8m W Peterborough) Fine Historic house and gardens with collection of furniture,  paintings and books. Tea / Gift Shop.


Museums

Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre (8m W Peterborough off A47) Working watermill in 530 acres showing farming, conservation, and history.   Gardens, walks and collections of rural domestic, agricultural and craft bygones
Brewery Museum   (Stamford).
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery (Peterborough) Local history, archaeology, natural history, folk life,industry, costume. Art Gallery with many temporary exhibitions all year
Thorney Heritage Centre(7m NE Peterborough) Centre shows develpoment of village from early Monastery, the changes made by the Dukes of Bedford in housing and fen drainage.
Whittlesey Museum (5m E Peterborough A605) Archaeology, agriculture, hand tools, brickmaking and local photographs. Costumes and temporary displays.


Nature Reserves

Nene Washes RSPB (5m E Peterborough)  Wet meadows and marshland with breeding waders and wintering ducks and swans.


Leisure Centres

Peterborough Ice Rink    (Bretton Way Peterborough)
Bowling Alley   
(Bretton Way, Peterbrough)


Trains

Nene Valley Railway(7m W Peterborough)  Regular steam and diesel trains operate over this line to Peterborough, a round trip of 15 miles.  Railway has featured in many TV and film productions including James Bond's "Octopussy".  Thomas The Tank Engine events throughout the year