Things to do in Peterborough
Peterborough may be perfectly placed in the UK to access major nearby cities, such as London, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Sheffield, but it’s got a lot going for it too. If you love history in particular, you’ll find lots to keep you entertained; whether you want to find out more about steam trains, life in the Bronze Age, or just more about the history of Peterborough itself.
Visit Peterborough Museum
The townhouse it’s housed in may seem unassuming, but the museum is home to over 220,000 objects that showcase the impressive history of Peterborough. From manuscripts from (almost) local John Claire, to ancient fossils and Roman potteries, Peterborough Museum truly is an incredible cultural and historical experience.
Spend the day at Nene Valley Railway
Located at Wansford Station, trains pulled by a steam locomotive run 7.5 miles down a preserved railway track to the Yarwell station. In addition to riding the train, you can visit the second-hand bookshop a Wansford Station, or head on over to the village of Yarwell, which boasts a quaint pub and church.
Get lost in Ferry Meadows and Nene Park
Spanning 3.5 miles across the city centre, Nene Park sits on the banks of the River Nene, and features wide, open fields and pretty woodland. Inside the park is Ferry Meadows Country Park, which has a lake where you can rent a boat or go kayaking, or spot local wildlife. If you’re taking your kids, they’ll love the playgrounds and horse stables.
Walk back in time at Flag Fen
A 15-minute drive outside of Peterborough, you’ll find a Bronze Age site, known as Flag Fen. Excavations of the site showed preserved vertical and horizontal timbers, which are believed to date back to 950 BC. Once inside Flag Fen Archaeology Park, you’ll be able to walk past a Bronze Age village, and explore the inside of reconstructed roundhouses, to see how people lived in Peterborough over 3000 years ago.
Catch a show at Key Theatre
The culture vultures of Peterborough flock to Key Theatre, which hosts over 300 plays, music events, pantomimes, and comedy nights every single year. Built in 1973, this beautiful glass-fronted venue is located by the River Neve, and also features a restaurants and a bar, as well as two auditoriums, and several conference rooms.