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Peterborough

The second city of Cambridgeshire has a long and interesting history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age, as can be seen in the archaeological site at Flag Fen. Although a cathedral city, it is also a New Town (designated in 1967), so modern development and expansion have vastly increased its facilities, while retaining the quality of its historic heart.

Peterborough's crowning glory is, of course, the Norman Cathedral, built in the 12th and 13th centuries on a site that has seen Christian worship since AD655. Henry VIII made the Church a Cathedral, and the Cathedral has been the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough since the diocese was created. Henry's first queen, Katherine of Aragon, is buried here, as for a while was Mary Queen of Scots after her execution at Fotheringay. Features to note are the huge (85-foot) arches of the early 13^th century West Front, the unique painted wooden nave ceiling, some exquisite late 15th-century fan vaulting, and the tomb of Katherine.

Though the best-known of the city's landmarks, the Cathedral is by no means the only one. The Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery covers all aspects of the history of Peterborough from the Jurassic period to Victorian times.

There are twin attractions for railway enthusiasts in the shape of Railworld and Sustainable Transport Centre, a hands-on exhibition open daily dealing with modern rail travel round the world, with a large model layout, and the wonderful Nene Valley Railway, which operates 15-mile steam- or vintage diesel-hauled trips between Peterborough and its HQ and museum at Wansford. A feature on the main railway line at Peterborough is the historic Iron Bridge, part of the old Great Northern Railway and still virtually as built by Lewis Cubitt in 1852. Each of the stations on the line has its own charm: Peterborough, Orton Mere, ferry Meadows, Yarwell and Wansford (HQ and Offices of the railway, with a collection of locomotives and carriages).

Just outside the city, by the river Nene, is Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Park, one of several open spaces in and around the city with absorbing collections of modern sculpture.

The East of England Showground (close to J17 of the A1) is host to a wide variety of shows and festivals (Tel: 01733 234451) and is home to the Peterborough Panthers Speedway Team. The grounds include a Gothic orangery built to celebrate the Millennium.