Peterborough, the biggest city in Cambridgeshire, is famous for its exquisite example of Norman architecture—Peterborough Cathedral—where Catherine of Aragon and Mary, Queen of Scots, are buried. The commuter city is near enough to London, taking roughly 50 minutes to get to and from London Kings Cross by train. There’s also a wealth of cultural attractions and family-friendly things to do in Peterborough, including the Flag Fen archeological site, Key Theatre, and Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, which has an extensive Jurassic marine reptile exhibit.
Cambridgeshire is one of the UK’s driest counties, which makes Peterborough’s weather more pleasant than the rest of the UK in the colder months. However, it’s still best enjoyed in summer when the festival season is in full swing. If visiting in June, Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival hosts boat races by 40 teams. In August, Peterborough Beer Festival offers live music, real ales, gin, and wine bars on the Peterborough Embankment.
Peterborough city center—with Cathedral Square and Queensgate Shopping Centre at its heart—is best explored on foot. To venture further afield, it’s recommended to drive or to catch a Stagecoach bus. The central bus station can be accessed via Queensgate Shopping Centre, and it’s a short walk from the main railway station, which has train links all around the country, including regular services to London.
For a dose of nature, Nene Park—roughly 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) outside the city center—is a vast green space that stretches along the valley of the River Nene. A great pick for the family, it has places to walk, cycle, and picnic. There are steam train rides for little ones at Ferry Meadows. Watersports fans are spoilt for choice here, too, with options to go kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and fishing.
