Things to Do
Arts, Culture & Heritage
A Norman cathedral, Bronze Age causeways, medieval wall paintings, art-deco theatres and Grade I churches scattered through the villages. Peterborough’s heritage runs from the city centre out across the Soke and the fen edge, and much of it is free to walk into.
Peterborough Cathedral
Discover Peterborough Cathedral, one of England’s great Norman buildings. Admire its monumental West Front, rare medieval painted ceiling and Katharine of Aragon’s tomb while exploring more than 900 years of architecture, worship and history.
Flag Fen Archaeology Park
Step back 3,000 years to a Bronze Age world of causeways and rituals. Walk above preserved timbers, meet ancient artefacts, and imagine life beside the mysterious wetlands of prehistoric Peterborough.
Peterborough Lido
A 1930s open-air pool surrounded by art-deco charm and summer sunshine. Perfect for families and swimmers seeking a nostalgic slice of British leisure in the heart of the city’s River & Rail Quarter.
John Clare Cottage
Visit the home of poet John Clare in Helpston — the “peasant poet” who gave voice to rural England. The cottage, gardens and museum celebrate his life, work and enduring love of nature.
St John the Baptist Church
Rising gracefully over Cathedral Square, St John’s has welcomed worshippers since 1407. Step inside to find carved angels, medieval roof bosses and a tranquil stillness that contrasts the bustle outside — a timeless haven at the city’s civic heart.
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
Housed in a Georgian mansion, the museum tells the city’s story from Roman settlement to modern times. Explore archaeology, fine art, fossils and ghost stories in one of Peterborough’s most atmospheric buildings.
Nene Valley Railway
Travel through time on a heritage steam railway running from Peterborough to Wansford. With vintage carriages, events and family days, it’s a living link to the golden age of rail.
Railworld Wildlife Haven
A former coal yard reborn as an eco-heritage attraction combining model railways, gardens and wildlife habitats. A hidden gem celebrating innovation, sustainability and family fun near the River Nene.
Longthorpe Tower
Step inside a 14th-century tower to discover vivid medieval wall paintings and a glimpse into the lives of Peterborough’s medieval gentry.
Peterborough Guildhall
This elegant 17th-century landmark, once the seat of civic life, stands proudly at the centre of Cathedral Square. With its open arches and carved stonework, the Guildhall connects past and present — a perfect spot to pause and watch city life unfold.
Peterborough Town Hall
A fine example of inter-war architecture, Peterborough Town Hall blends art-deco grace with civic purpose. Its grand council chamber and clock tower have witnessed decades of local democracy, celebrating the city’s spirit of progress, pride and community since 1933.
Old Customs House
Standing proudly on the riverside since the 17th century, the Old Customs House recalls Peterborough’s bustling river-trade days. Once a toll house for goods arriving by barge, it remains a charming reminder of the city’s working-waterfront heritage.
Peterborough Blue Plaque Trail
Explore the stories etched into Peterborough’s streets through the Blue Plaque Trail. Each plaque reveals a piece of the city’s heritage — from royal visitors to inventors, artists and reformers — creating an inspiring open-air museum of local history.
Central Library
Peterborough’s main library — a welcoming space for books, culture, and community
Holywell Ponds
A tranquil medieval fishpond site fed by a spring emerging from a grotto, nestled in Longthorpe amid wildflower meadows and nature reserve habitat.
All Saint’s Church – Medieval Parish
Historic Grade I listed church anchoring the Paston community.
Peterborough Central Mosque – Masjid Khadijah
A modern mosque with beautiful architecture, open to visitors on special days.
Crowland Abbey
Once a powerhouse of the Fenlands, Crowland Abbey shaped Peterborough’s medieval growth.
Trinity Bridge
Once a powerhouse of the Fenlands, Crowland Abbey shaped Peterborough’s medieval growth.
Thorney Abbey
Discover the Fenland abbey whose influence reached deep into Peterborough’s past.
Thorney Heritage Museum
Housed in a former Bedford Level Corporation building, Thorney Heritage Museum tells the remarkable story of how this fenland ‘island’ was transformed from marsh to farmland.
St. Matthew’s Church, Eye
A village landmark linking Eye’s present to its rich fenland past.
Sacrewell Heritage Farm & Country Centre
Meet animals, explore the restored 18th-century watermill, enjoy tractor rides, nature trails and play areas, and experience rural life surrounded by history, wildlife and open skies.
St Botolph’s Church, Helpston
St Botolph’s Church, Helpston, is a beautiful medieval parish church entwined with the life and poetry of John Clare. It remains a place of peace, reflection, and literary pilgrimage within Peterborough’s tranquil Clare Country landscape.
Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Trail
The Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Trail weaves through one of Peterborough’s most picturesque green spaces, offering a unique blend of outdoor art and waterside scenery.
Norman Cross
Norman Cross, just outside Peterborough, is a scheduled monument and the site of the world’s first purpose built prisoner of war camp during the Napoleonic Wars of the late 1700s. Nene Park Trust has now taken ownership of the site to preserve it and share its story.
Burghley House
Burghley House is one of England’s grandest Elizabethan estates, blending majestic architecture, art, and parkland. Discover opulent staterooms, explore centuries of family history, wander the sculpture gardens and Capability Brown landscapes, and enjoy a full calendar of seasonal events, exhibitions, and country fairs.
Elton Hall
Elton Hall is a romantic part Gothic house, home to the Proby family for over 400 years. Explore grand state rooms, rare art and manuscripts, and enchanting formal gardens that reflect centuries of heritage, elegance and care near Peterborough.
St Mary & All Saints Church
A church fit for kings — birthplace of Richard III, burial site of the House of York, and one of England’s finest parish churches. A jewel of Perpendicular Gothic architecture.
The Church of St Kyneburgha
The Church of St Kyneburgha is a remarkable Grade I listed building with Roman, Saxon and Norman stonework and a celebrated Norman tower. Situated on a Roman palace site, it has been a place of worship since the 4th century and boasts a roof carved with 60 angels.