10 Best Things to Do in Peterborough

Peterborough is primarily known for its historic cathedral, but you’ll find additional history and modern family-friendly fun here, too. The local history is vast with one site offering the opportunity to step back into the Bronze Age. Alternately, you can enjoy modern-day offerings with trips to the local theater and movie theater.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to the local farm where you’ll meet kindly animals. Find the 10 best things to do in Peterborough on your visit.

1. Peterborough Cathedral

Visit a centuries-old cathedral

Good for: History

Peterborough Cathedral is a 13th-century cathedral with a Romanesque and Gothic architectural style that’s been remarkably well preserved. The design is notably unique, as it implements 3 massive arches on the front facade that followed no precedent at the time and has no real successor to this day.

This unique piece of architectural history is open for tours and visitors, letting you see the detail on the exterior and interior. Inside, the fan vaulting on the ceiling is particularly impressive. You’ll find this cathedral in the town center just north of the Bishop’s Road Gardens.

Location: Peterborough PE1 1XZ, UK

Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm, Sunday from noon to 3 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1733 355315

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2. Nene Valley Railroad Tours

Ride a steam train

Good for: Families, History, Photo, Adventure

Nene Valley Railroad Tours lets you enjoy a relaxing ride around the valley from the station in Peterborough on a historic steam-powered train. This train line will take you through the countryside and can get you to numerous stations like Wansford, Yarwell Junction, Castor, Ferry Meadows and Orton Mare.

It’s also important to note that this is the first railroad in the world to possess a full-scale replica of Thomas the Tank Engine. You’ll find it all at the Peterborough station next to Railworld about 10 minutes from the town center on foot.

Location: Longueville Junction, Peterborough PE8 6LR, UK

Open: Daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1780 784444

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3. Ferry Meadows Country Park

Enjoy outdoor recreation

Good for: Families, Adventure

Ferry Meadows Country Park is a 6-mile-long park along the banks of the River Nene where you can enjoy outdoor recreation like strolls, fishing, birdwatching and some water sports. Its location next to the River Nene opens up numerous aquatic opportunities, as coarse fishing and dinghy and board sailing are especially popular.

Some less frequent activities can be found here, such as pony rides and art exhibitions. Be sure to check their calendar to see what’s going on. You’ll find this park on the east side of town north of Orton Wistow.

Location: Ferry Meadows Country Park, Ham Ln, Peterborough PE2 5UU, UK

Open: Daily from 6.30 am to 10 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1733 234193

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4. Railworld Wildlife Haven

Visit a nature haven and model railroad

Good for: Families, History

Railworld Wildlife Haven is a nature haven and model railroad that showcases landscaped natural splendor and impressive exhibits. The lush greenery around the central building of this nonprofit charity organization is especially vibrant and offers the scenic backdrop of the River Nene.

Within the exhibits, you’ll find several points of interest, including the Tracked Hovercraft RTV 31, which was a prototype hovertrain. You can see all of it for yourself in the town center on the north side of New Fletton.

Location: Access - Pleasure Fair Meadow Parking Garage, Oundle Rd, Peterborough PE2 9NR, UK

Phone: +44 (0)1733 344240

5. Peterborough Museum

Explore a wealth of stories

Good for: History

Peterborough Museum is home to numerous objects and interactive displays that show off fascinating history dating back to the Saxons and the Romans. You’ll find more than 200,000 items ranging from fossils to items made by French prisoners. Among the most intriguing of the exhibitions is the Victorian Operating Theater.

There, you can see the gruesome history of surgery from centuries past. This and other exhibits can be found at the museum near the center of town just south of the Queensgate Shopping Center.

Location: Priestgate, Peterborough PE1 1LF, UK

Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +44 (0)1733 864663

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6. Sacrewell Farm

Meet friendly farm animals

Good for: Families, Adventure

Sacrewell Farm offers family-friendly fun where you can meet friendly farm animals. Among other attractions, the kids can enjoy a tractor ride and an indoor activity barn. You’ll find a bit of history at this farm, as it contains a working watermill that dates back to the 18th century.

The farm isn’t just for show. They produce quite a bit of fresh produce, along with snacks and cakes. You’ll find it all a few miles west of the town center around the north end of Wansford.

Location: Thornhaugh, Peterborough PE8 6HJ, UK

Open: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1780 782254

7. Flag Fen Archeology Park

Stroll through a Bronze Age village

Good for: History

Flag Fen Archeology Park is a recreation of what a Bronze Age village in the Fen would’ve looked like 3,000 years ago. You can stand where your ancestors stood and find reconstructed roundhouses that show off what life was like for these prehistoric people.

This is the only location in all of the UK where Bronze Age remains can be seen in situ, meaning that the remains were found in the same place where they were once used. See it for yourself on the west side of town just past Fengate.

Location: The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough PE6 7QJ, UK

Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

Phone: +44 (0)1733 864468

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8. The Key Theater

See a local theater program

Good for: Families, Nightlife

The Key Theater is the center of live performance in Peterborough where you’ll find numerous homegrown productions along with occasional national touring shows. The local theater program puts on incredible shows, including well-known productions of completely original works.

One of the most important aspects of this theater is its family-friendly atmosphere. Good, clean family fun is their motto, and they’ve been putting it into action for 30 years. Join in on the fun right in the town center in between The Embankment and the River Nene.

Location: Embankment Rd, Peterborough PE1 1EF, UK

Phone: +44 (0)1733 207239

9. Elton Hall and Gardens

Visit a historic hall and gardens

Good for: History

Elton Hall and Gardens is a Baronial hall estate dating back to the 15th century with immaculately maintained gardens open to visitors May through September. The hall itself is a grade I listed building with extensive period-appropriate furnishings inside.

The gardens are particularly impressive, as they contain quite a few interesting features. You’ll find a knot garden along with fine hedges and a recently added Gothic orangery. Explore it all just a few miles west of town in Over End.

Location: Elton Hall, Elton PE8 6SH, UK

Phone: +44 (0)1832 280468

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10. Showcase Movie theater De Lux Peterborough

See a movie in a luxurious theater

Good for: Nightlife

Showcase Movie theater De Lux Peterborough is a stunning movie theater where you can see high-quality screenings with lavish surroundings and endless convenience. This movie theater offers a variety of options in 1 location with a Sony 4K projection and RealD 3-D available.

This movie theater, known for its accessibility, allows more people than ever to experience movie offerings. You’ll find hearing assistance and wheelchair accessibility along with autism-friendly screenings every second Sunday. Catch a movie at this movie theater in Fengate by the automobile dealerships.

Location: Boongate, Mallory Rd, Peterborough PE1 5AU, UK

Phone: +44 (0)8712 201000

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