Car Hire Peterborough - Mini guide to Peterborough

Peterborough is little known as a tourist attraction, yet this busy city has a wealth of attractions ranging from a modern and extensive shopping centre, to an impressive Norman Cathedral, and even a nearby Bronze Age settlement, known as Flag Fen.

Without doubt, the Gothic Cathedral, built in 1118, is the centrepiece of the city, and with its breathtaking West Front, is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Another worthwhile attraction is The Peterborough Museum and Galleries, which houses Natural History, Archaeology, Jurassic, and Norman collections, as well as boasting fine art dating from the 1600’s to the present day, including paintings by Van Huysum and Turner.

The lovely Cathedral Square, with the Cathedral on one side and the ancient Guildhall on the other, is a lovely place to sit at a café and watch the world go by. The square is flanked by the pedestrian-only shopping street, Broad Street, which runs down to the river. Also within easy reach are the impressive Queensgate, Herewood Cross and Rivergate shopping centres.

But Peterborough doesn’t only offer great shopping. With three theatres, a comedy club, jazz cafes and a host of bars and nightclubs, it boasts an exciting and varied nightlife. The city’s restaurants cater for most tastes, including French, Indian, Italian, Mexican cuisine, and you can even learn the tricks of the trade at the Geest Culinary Academy, which runs demonstrations and cooking classes.

There are plenty of other attractions near to the city. Of note, on the eastern outskirts, is Flag Fen, a Bronze Age settlement with Bronze and Iron Age roundhouses, a museum and Roman road. The nearby Nene Valley railway, a working steam railway, offering 15 mile round trip through the delightful Nene Valley, also makes for a good day out.

London Stansted Airport, with its many national and international connections, is approximately 1.5 hours by train from Peterborough. Hourly trains also depart for London.

The major suburbs in Peterborough are: Bretton, Hampton, Old Fletton, Orton, Werrington and Westwood.