Peterborough

Peterborough is a vibrant, modern, and historic city with everything from modern shopping centres to historic places. Or if you want to get away from it all - explore our countryside and expansive parkland by walking, cycling or simply enjoying a round of golf.

The Peterborough Cathedral, as medieval cathedrals go, is very unusual because of its overall asymmetrical appearance featuring the statues of three saints. You'll definitely want to see the West Front with its unique English Gothic Portico and the incredible 13th century painted nave ceiling. You'll also want to see the burial places of Katharine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, and Mary Queen of Scots. If you're an architecture aficionado, you'll appreciate the fan vaulting of the New Building Ceiling, the Hedda stone, which is an 8th Century Saxon carving from the original church, and the 12th century watchtower of St Oswald's chapel.

Another interesting tourist destination to note is Flag Fen, Europe's leading Bronze-Age Centre and archaeological site. The site was discovered in 1982 when a mechanical digger pulled up some timber that appeared to have been split in a very distinctive manner. Archaeologists were called in, and they sent the timber for radiocarbon dating where the timber was found to have been dated at 1000 BC. The digging of the site continues to this day, and many artifacts from the period have been found. The Flag Fen Museum houses many of these artifacts and has audio visual hands-on displays to show visitors what the items were used for, and what life was like during the Bronze age. One of the most interesting displays is the Bronze Age roundhouse, a dwelling ancient people lived in. It is a facinating look at life of the Bronze Age in Britain.

If you have children, you'll probably want to visit Sacrewell Farm. Children can feed the friendly farm animals and take tractor rides around the property. The farm also has examples on display of weapons and tools of flint, pottery, coins and other artefacts turned up by ploughing, which gives us some idea of how the Ancient Britons and Romans lived. Or, you can simply enjoy the feeling of space and rural tranquillity. You can visit for the day or if you choose, there is a clean campsite for a longer visit. Shower and toilet facilities are available. The cost for camping is a very reasonable £7.00 for adults or £20.00 per night for a family of four.

Another great family trip is a ride on the Nene Valley Railway. There, you can ride on Thomas, a steam engine, who got his name from a set of children's books about a steam engine. 'Thomas' even has a painted face similiar to the illustrations in the book. Children delight in knowing they are riding Thomas, and adults can sit back and enjoy the ride. Or, for the more adventurous, you can take driving lessons to learn how to drive a full sized steam locomotive.

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