Out & About in Peterborough

In 43 AD the Romans established a fortress which became a major fortified town famous for pottery production, and was later selected for the erection of a monastery, which evolved into the magnificent Cathedral that occupies the land today. Peterborough was transformed from market town to an industrial centre - particularly in brick - as steam railways came to the fore in the 1840s; the Nene Valley provides a nostalgic insight into this era today. Since being designated a "New Town" in the 60s, Peterborough has become a populous cosmopolitan city (over 160,000) being a fashionable choice for settlement amongst Eastern Europeans, Italians, and Commonwealth settlers. In 2005 the city began a massive regeneration programme, following its ambition to establish itself as the UK's "Environment Capital". Peterborough is a popular destination for shoppers, with plenty of on site parking and out of town shopping hubs. It is also home to the beautiful Cathedral, which takes pride of place in the centre of the city, and is famous for being the burial place of Katharine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, in 1536 as well as providing a temporary tomb for Mary Queen of Scots, who was executed nearby in 1587 on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I. In addition, Peterborough is served by a bustling railway station providing a regular service to London, the East Coast, Midlands, the North of England and Scotland.

Shopping

Queensgate is a three storey shopping centre offering a wide selection of 90 stores, many of which are national chains, with several coffee shops to rest and recharge, and has a massive choice of parking including family and shopmobility parking. It is also linked to the railway station via an over-road walk bridge. John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, BHS, Next and H&M are just some of the established brands you'll find here. And if you are looking for something less mainstream, the Western Arcade accommodates the boutique-style outlets for more unique purchases. The other side of Queensgate leads to the cobbled city centre with many more stores and a covered market. If city centre shopping does not appeal, there are several of out-of-town retail parks along the ring road and at the new area of Hampton just off the A1.

Food and Drink

Because of its diverse population, Peterborough offers an immense choice as one might expect when it comes to selecting a place to eat, from family oriented pubs to specialist exotic cuisine including Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, curry houses, and Greek. A great family place in the city centre is Ask, a pizza and pasta chain on Priestgate, with peaceful and secluded outdoor seating for the better Summer days. Just outside the city centre, the Cherry House in Werrington has received good reviews and the Crown Inn just off the A1 at Elton tops most lists for great food.

Arts & Entertainment

Peterborough's Key Theatre features an assorted blend of locally-directed productions, national touring companies and one-off concerts. The city hosts an annual festival over a fortnight every Summer for all local communities to enjoy, and regular events include The Mayor's Festival Parade, the Central Park Weekend - with a wide variety of musical performances including the City's Symphony Orchestra, Heritage Festival weekend and the Country Fair and Boat Festival Weekend. Peterborough Greyhound Stadium is a popular venue for the local community and the Holiday Inn at Thorpe Wood holds regular Comedy Nights. There is also a thriving night club community in the centre offering a wide range of musical tastes. Five miles from the city centre is the important archaeological site of Flag Fen, which has been hailed as the most important Bronze Age site in Europe, featuring a 3500 year old Celtic monument. The centrally-based Peterborough Museum offers a wealth of historic interest from the Jurassic era to the cutting edge technology of today. Further afield, Peterborough is close to the pretty towns of Oundle and Stamford and Peterborough United (the Posh) can be watched at their London Road ground.

Hotels and Travel

The best accommodation in the city can be found at the Marriott, the Holiday Inn, and the Best Western at Orton Hall, which is set in beautiful grounds and offers a leisure facility with swimming pool and golf nearby. Reaching the centre is fairly straightforward, and easily accessed from the North, South, and West via the A1 and A605, and routes leading in from the Fens and Lincolnshire. Parking is not only well signposted and central, but also pretty reasonable, although with plans for regeneration of a pedestrian-only environmentally-minded city, this may not last indefinitely. Peterborough's railway is well connected and this makes it one of the most accessible cities by rail in the UK.