Peterborough, England Attractions
Peterborough is an industrial city attractively situated on the north bank of the River Nene, on the edge of the Fens. Traditionally an agricultural center, it now has large factories producing diesel engines and other heavy machinery. The principal attraction for visitors is the cathedral, one of the finest Norman churches in England. The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew was built between 1118 and 1238.
The town, "Peter's borough", grew up round the Saxon monastery of Medehamstede, founded about 655 by the first Christian king of Mercia, on the site now occupied by the cathedral. The monastery was destroyed by the Danes in 870 and rebuilt as a Benedictine foundation by Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester (963-984) in 972. Rebuilding after a fire in 1116 was completed in 1238. Relics of St Oswald and Thomas Becket made the abbey into a place of pilgrimage and enabled it to become very wealthy. The fact that it was the site of the grave of Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, was probably instrumental in saving the abbey from being dissolved and torn down during the Reformation; in 1541 Peterborough was promoted to the status of a cathedral see.
Peterborough has many sites of interest and hosts several annual events including the East of England Show and the Peterborough Festival.
The town, "Peter's borough", grew up round the Saxon monastery of Medehamstede, founded about 655 by the first Christian king of Mercia, on the site now occupied by the cathedral. The monastery was destroyed by the Danes in 870 and rebuilt as a Benedictine foundation by Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester (963-984) in 972. Rebuilding after a fire in 1116 was completed in 1238. Relics of St Oswald and Thomas Becket made the abbey into a place of pilgrimage and enabled it to become very wealthy. The fact that it was the site of the grave of Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, was probably instrumental in saving the abbey from being dissolved and torn down during the Reformation; in 1541 Peterborough was promoted to the status of a cathedral see.
Peterborough has many sites of interest and hosts several annual events including the East of England Show and the Peterborough Festival.
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Peterborough Cathedral
The cathedral was begun in the early 12th C and displays a unique Gothic facade with large doorways and corner towers.
Flag Fen Bronze Age Excavations
Flag Fen is recognized as one of the most significant Bronze Age excavation sites in Europe. The museum near Peterborough houses priceless discoveries. Other attractions include a semi-floating visitor center, a landscaped Bronze Age park and primitive animals.
The site is important because it had waterlogged conditions that preserved wood and other organic materials in essentially their original form. Archaeologists have recently discovered the oldest wooden wheel in England, and possibly Britain.
All values are in local currency
The site is important because it had waterlogged conditions that preserved wood and other organic materials in essentially their original form. Archaeologists have recently discovered the oldest wooden wheel in England, and possibly Britain.
Flag Fen Bronze Age Excavations
Fourth Drove
Fengate
Peterborough PE1 5UR
England
Fourth Drove
Fengate
Peterborough PE1 5UR
England
Hours
March 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Family | 13.75 |
| Adult | 5.00 |
| Pensioners (OAP) | 4.50 |
| Child | 3.75 |
| Students | 3.75 |
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Historic Buildings
Near Queensgate Shopping Centre, St John's Church (1407), the Guildhall (1671) and the Custom's House on the River Nene are among the few historic buildings still remaining in Peterborough.
Museum & Art Gallery
The Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery in Priestgate contains archaeological finds and what is thought to be the first portrait of a judge in his robes (16th century), as well as craftwork produced by French prisoners of war at Norman Cross Prison during the Napoleonic Wars.
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
Priestgate
Peterborough PE1 1LF
England
Priestgate
Peterborough PE1 1LF
England
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 16:00 |
Nene Valley Railway
The Nene Valley Railway was the first railroad into Peterborough. Today a preserved steam locomotive and carriages take visitors along the 7.5 miles of track.
Hours
January 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Close |
April 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | ||
| Close |
May 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |||
| Close |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | |
| Close |
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Queensgate Shopping Centre
In the pedestrian area of Priestgate is the enormous covered Queensgate Shopping Centre - a marble, glass and steel construction.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 10:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 20:00 | 17:30 | 18:00 | 16:30 |