Home » Live » Heritage

Heritage

Peterborough has a rich history, with over 1,000 listed buildings, 60 scheduled ancient monuments and 29 Conservation Areas within its boundaries, as well as a draft list of over 230 locally listed buildings. Human settlement in Peterborough dates back to the Bronze Age, providing the city with a vibrant past and culture to explore at sites such as Flag Fen, the most important Bronze Age archaeological site in Europe. With our sites, monuments and collections, you can see over 3,500 years of history unfolding. To learn more about heritage in Peterborough, click here.

Peterborough is both a historic medieval city and a dynamic city growing for the future. It currently has a diverse population of over 170,000 but has an ambition to grow to well over 200,000 residents by 2021. Peterborough’s past is both rich and diverse. At a time of looking forward with major regeneration and economic growth, it’s important to recognise that a place’s heritage can both underpin and take a lead role in the economic development of the city. Heritage can re-inforce Peterborough’s identity and regenerate buildings, businesses and local communities.

Heritage attractions in Peterborough

The large Elizabethan Burghley House on a summers day Burghley House
The House Office, Burghley House,
Cambridgeshire, PE9 3JY
Tel: 01780 752451
www.burghley.co.uk

The main house has 35 major rooms accessible to the public, Burghley is the largest and grandest house of the Elizabethan age. Visitor facilities include the Orangery Restaurant, Gift Shop, Gardens of Surprise and beautiful walks around the historic parkland laid out by Capability Brown and still occupied by a herd of fallow deer.

John Clare Cottage dates back to the 18th century. Painted white, the quaint cottage was traditionally built with a thatched roof. Clare Cottage
Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate,
Helpston, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE6 7ED
Tel: 01733 253330
www.clarecottage.org

Located in the village of Helpston, which is between Peterborough and Stamford. John Clare was born in the village, and the Cottage was his home where he lived with his family for most of his life.

A reconstructed Bronze Age hut at Flag Fen, Peterborough, which features a thatched roof and wattle and daube wallsFlag Fen Archaeological Park
The Droveway,
Northey Road, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE6 7QJ
Tel: 01733 313414
www.flagfen.org

28 acre landscape park and heritage with reconstructions, parkland and museum. 

Longthorpe Tower in Peterborough, a three-storey 14th century building, which in looks is similar to a small castleLongthorpe Tower
Thorpe Road,
Longthorpe, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE1 1HA
Tel: 01536 203230
Longthorpe Tower

The 14th Century tower of a fortified manor-house with the most significant and complete secular wall painting of the period in northern Europe.

A boating lake at Nene Park Trust, Peterborough, stretching out towards the horizon

Nene Park Trust
Ham Farm House, Ham Lane,
Orton Waterville, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE2 5UU
Tel: 01733 234193
www.neneparktrust.org.uk

Nene Park comprises of 2000 acres of land to the east of Peterborough, with a watersports centre, two 18 hole golf courses and fishing facilities. Ferry Meadows at its centre has a visitor centre.

Traditional steam trains setting off from Nene Valley Railway, PeterboroughNene Valley Railway
Wansford Station,
Stibbington,
Cambridgeshire, PE8 6LR
Tel: 01780 784444
www.nvr.org.uk

The 7.5-mile steam-operated Nene Valley Railway runs alongside the River Nene from Peterborough (Nene Valley station), through Wansford to Yarwell. Wansford is the main station (free parking) where there is a café and all facilities.

Brightly lit Norman Cross Gallery in Peterborough featuring exposed wooden beams and art pieces lining the walls. Norman Cross Art Gallery
Norman House,
Norman Cross, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE7 3TB
Tel: 01733 245189
www.normancrossgallery.com

The region’s newest art gallery is situated in the unique and picturesque setting of the former prisoner of war depot of Norman Cross. During the Napoleonic wars, seven thousand French prisoners were held at Norman Cross, guarded by five hundred soldiers. The gallery is located in the recently restored stable block.

The main entrance of Peterborough Museum, a 19th century, which features a balcony and pillars at the front. Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery
Priestgate,
Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE1 1LF
Tel: 01733 864663
www.vivacity-peterborough.com

Discover the rich & varied history of the Peterborough area – from Jurassic Sea Monsters to Napoleonic Prisoners of War to the haunted Museum building. The building houses over 100,000 objects and a changing exhibition programme.

Peterborough's Norman Cathedral on a bright day with the sun lighting up the golden colour of the limestone.Peterborough Cathedral
The Cathedral Office,
12a Minster Precincts, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE1 1XS
Tel: 01733 355300
www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

The Cathedral has a magnificent Norman Architecture including a unique 13th century  nave ceiling and stunning West Front. Burial place of two Queens. The precincts provide a relaxing area of calm within the city centre and tower tours allow the visitor to truly experience the building.

13th century Prebendal Manor in Peterborough surrounded by a lush green yard, which features a well in the middle. The Prebendal Manor
Nassington,
Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE8 6QG
Tel: 01780 782575
Prebendal Manor

Prebendal Manor and Tithe barn date from the early 13th century. The manor is the oldest property in Northamptonshire. Exhibitions showcase the history of this fascinating site.

A black and red steam train at Railworld, PeterboroughRailworld
Oundle Road,
Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE2 9NR
Tel: 01733 344240
www.railworld.net

Railworld highlights sustainable transport and the environment, with superb model railway, hands on items and fun for all the family.

A young girl feeding a horse at Sacrewell Farm, Peterborough Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre
Thornhaugh,
Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE8 6HJ
Tel: 01780 782254
www.sacrewell.org.uk

Entertain the whole family on the farm, with animals from rabbits to shire horses, a straw bale maze, an historic watermill and in case of wet weather, an indoor activity barn.

The 19th century Thorney Heritage Musem, PeterboroughThorney Heritage Museum
Station Road,
Thorney, Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire, PE6 0QE
Tel: 01733 270908
www.thorney-museum.org.uk

The museum shows village development from monastic days to the 19th century Duke of Bedford alongside Walloon and Flemish influence after Vermuyden’s drainage.

Heritage Regeneration Officer

To enhance the role heritage plays in the regeneration and growth of Peterborough, a Heritage Officer has been appointed by Opportunity Peterborough, Peterborough City Council and English Heritage with support from the Department for Communities and Local Government. This will ensure that the profile of Peterborough’s heritage is raised (both urban and rural) enhancing not only the historic buildings and places, but also people’s lives.

For further information please contact:
Alice Kershaw
alice.kershaw@opportunitypeterborough.co.uk

01733 317480

Follow Alice on Twitter @AliceKershaw