Peterborough
Historic treasures sit comfortably alongside contemporary culture in this vibrant city. It’s an invigorating fusion of places to relax and re-energise or to exhaust yourself having fun.
From central Cathedral Square, go in search of Jurassic sea monsters at the museum or check out the latest new media offering at the art gallery Posing in front of the riplearched portico at the Cathedral has to be a send-to-a-friend picture, but head inside for even more memorable moments - fan-vaulting that takes your breath away and the frisson of history that surrounds Katharine of Aragon’s impressive tomb. Venture a little further and there’s more fun - ice-skating, floating restaurants, bowling, theatres and cinemas, plus plenty of golf, the fantastic Green Wheel cycle trail and ancient Flag Fen, a 3,000 year old Bronze Age site.
Top tip
Go on, be brave! Sign up for a candlelit visit around Peterborough’s most haunted house - the Museum at Priestgate.
Shopping time
The shopping combination in Peterborough works a treat. Browse the boutiques in the elegantly colonnaded Westgate Arcade, then step into the spacious Queensgate mall to hit the shops - all ninety of them.
A day here hardly seems long enough, yet the Rivergate shopping arcades beckon with additional combinations of big name stores and specialist shops. Be enthralled with the street entertainers’ festival and look out for farmers’ and continental markets as well as the more traditional covered market from Tuesday to Saturday.
Things to do
Lazing the day away in the award-winning Victorian Central Park has a certain appeal. So too a refreshing countryside walk, spot of sculpture culture or even adrenaline-loaded watersports at Ferry Meadows.
The Nene Valley Railway, home to the famous little tank engine, Thomas, enthrals little ones and steam engine buffs alike, and there’s plenty of farmyard fun at the Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre.
Take in the heritage at gothic Elton Hall, at Thorney or Crowland Abbey. The Bronze Age timber causeway at Flag Fen is a real rarity, so too the cathedral itself which escaped the ravages of the Reformation. Why not take things to a higher level with a tour of the upper floors and tower?