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Peterborough

National Rail | station code PBO

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Peterborough is a busy city which has grown rapidly in recent years but historic buildings remain including the Museum and magnificent Cathedral. The railway station is an important interchange on the East Coast main line.

Peterborough's Queensgate Bus Station is ¼ mile from the railway station. Peterborough PlusBus tickets allow unlimited bus travel within the local area including buses to Longthorpe Tower and Elton Hall (see below). For local bus times see Peterborough Bus Times.

www.visitpeterborough.com

Peterborough booking.com

Peterborough map

Peterborough Cathedral ½ mile

With its Gothic facade Peterborough Cathedral is one of the finest Norman cathedrals in England. The Visitor Centre has an exhibition covering characters and stories from the Cathedral's 1300 year history. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Cathedral M-S 0900-1700, Sun 1200-1500. Visitor Centre M-S 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600. Check website for changes.
www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery ½ mile

The Museum & Art Gallery in a Georgian townhouse has displays covering local history including the brickmaking industry. Reconstructed Victorian operating theatre. Art Gallery. Garden. Exhibition and events programme. Coffee House. Admission free (except events).
Open TWThFSSu 1000-1700.
www.vivacity-peterborough.com

Railworld Wildlife Haven ¾ mile

Landscaped wildlife habitats with model railways running through them. Railway relics include the RTV31 tracked hovercraft test vehicle. Refreshments.
Open SSu, daily in school holidays, 1030-1500.
www.railworld.net

Nene Valley Railway ¾ mile

A 7½ mile standard gauge preserved railway from Peterborough to Wansford where most of the railway's facilities are based. Features at Wansford include model and garden railways, engineering shed viewing gallery and café.
Open for dates and train times please see the website.
www.nvr.org.uk

Woodston Ponds Nature Reserve 1¾ miles

Ponds and a reedbed provide homes for many birds including reed warbler and reed bunting. Ducks and herons can be seen too. Boardwalk and viewing platform.
Open at all times.
www.wildlifebcn.org

Longthorpe Tower EH by bus

This modest tower was built in 1300 for Robert Thorpe as an addition to his manor house. It contains a remarkable set of medieval domestic wall paintings covering almost every wall and ceiling.
Open Apr-Oct, SSu & BH 1000-1700.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus 2 citi (towards Bretton) from Queensgate Bus Station (¼ mile from Rail Station) to Woburn Close. 7 minutes journey, M-S every 10-15 minutes, Sun & BH every 30 minutes. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey. Operated by Stagecoach.

Longthorpe map

Elton Hall & Gardens by bus

Elton Hall has been the ancestral home of the Proby family for over 350 years. The House dates from 1665 with later additions and alterations. It contains many treasures including fine French furniture and a collection of paintings. Guided tours of the House (except BH). The Gardens feature topiary, a lily pond, orangery and flower borders.
Open Jun-Aug, WTh (also late May & Aug BH) 1400-1700.
www.eltonhall.com
Bus X4 from Queensgate Bus Station (¼ mile from Rail Station) to St Botolph Green, immediately after Elton village. The bus stop is opposite the private drive to Elton Hall, walk on for the public entrance via the adjacent Garden Centre. About 25 minutes journey, M-S about hourly, Sun & BH every 2 hours. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey. Operated by Stagecoach.

Elton map

John Clare Cottage & Garden by bus

The home of the poet John Clare from 1793 to 1832. The cottage contains examples of his work and information about his life. The rooms and garden also show how rural people lived in the early 19th century. Café.
Open Mon & Thu 1000-1500.
www.clarecottage.org
Bus 201/202 from Bus Station to Helpston, 20 minutes journey. M-S about hourly. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey. Operated by Delaine Buses. Buses also operate from Stamford.

Helpston map

Barnack Hills and Holes Nature Reserve by bus then ¼ mile

This important and unusual National Nature Reserve is on the site of a medieval limestone quarry. The grassy hummocks are home to a profusion of rare wild flowers, including orchids and the very rare pasque flower which blooms in April and May. Some paths are steep and may be slippery as well as uneven.
Open at all times but most colourful Jun-Jul.
www.gov.uk (search for Hills and Holes Nature Reserve)
Bus 201/202 from Bus Station to Barnack, 28 minutes journey, then ¼ mile walk via Jack Haws Lane and School Road. M-S about hourly. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey. Operated by Delaine Buses. Buses also operate from Stamford.

Barnack map

Burghley House by bus

Burghley House is an impressive Tudor mansion built by Queen Elizabeth's Lord High Treasurer, William Cecil, and it is still lived in by his descendants today. Visitors can see the richly furnished state rooms with fine furniture, tapestries and works of art which include an important collection of 17th century Italian paintings. The surrounding historic parkland was laid out by Capability Brown and includes modern Sculpture Gardens. The Garden of Surprises is a recreation of a Tudor trick garden with revolving heads and fountains. Restaurant and Café. Events programme.
Open please see website.
www.burghley.co.uk
Bus 201/202 from Bus Station to Burghley House main entrance, shortly after Pilsgate, 32 minutes journey. M-S about hourly. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey. Operated by Delaine Buses.
Burghley House is 1½ miles from Stamford station.

Bourne by bus

Bourne is a picturesque and historic market town with many independent shops. Bourne Abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII's but the Abbey Church remains in use today. Wellhead Park is on the site of Bourne's castle.
www.bournetown.co.uk
Bus 101 from Bus Station to Bourne Market Place (North Street), 38 minutes journey. M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey. Operated by Delaine Buses.

Bourne Museum by bus

The museum covers Bourne's history including the story of local pioneering racing driver, Raymond Mays. A gallery is devoted to Charles Worth, one of England's most influential fashion designers, who was born locally. Admission free.
Open SSu & BH 1400-1600.
www.bournetown.co.uk
Bus see Bourne above.

Delaine Bus Museum by bus then ½ mile

The museum covers the history of Delaine Buses which began in 1890 with horse-drawn vehicles. Delaine heritage buses, bus office and workshop displays. Artefacts and memorabilia from the bus industry. Heritage bus rides (see website for times). Events programme. Light refreshments.
Open Mar-Oct, 2nd Saturday of month, 1200-1600.
www.delaineheritagetrust.org
Bus see Bourne above, then ½ mile walk.

Bourne map
Rural Retreats
Rural Retreats
Rural Retreats

Wisbech by bus

An important fenland market town on the River Nene, Wisbech is known as the Capital of the Fens. The North and South Brinks on each side of the river have fine Georgian buildings. Markets are held on Thursday and Saturday. There is some variation in how Wisbech is pronounced locally but 'Wizbeach' will be understood.
Bus Excel A/B/C from station forecourt (and Bus Station) to Wisbech Bus Station, about 45 minutes journey, M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly. Operated by First. Peterborough PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey. Buses also operate from King's Lynn and March.

TI 2-3 Bridge Street. Tel. 01945 583263.

The National Trust has a selection of holiday cottages in East Anglia, including Wisbech.

Peckover House & Garden NT by bus

A Georgian town house with very fine rococo plaster and wood decoration. Displays on the Quaker family who owned it and the Peckover Bank. The Victorian garden includes an orangery, roses, herbaceous borders, fernery and a 17th century thatched barn. Restaurant.
Open Apr-Oct, MThFSSu & BH 1030-1400, see website for House tour times.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/peckover
Bus see Wisbech above.

Octavia Hill's Birthplace House by bus

The birthplace of Octavia Hill, social reformer and one of the three founders of the National Trust. Displays in the Georgian house cover living conditions before sanitary reform, social housing, Octavia's civic amenity work and the founding of the National Trust. The courtyard garden contains a recreation of one of Octavia's 'outdoor sitting rooms'. Tearoom. Events programme.
Open please see website.
www.octaviahill.org
Bus see Wisbech above.

Wisbech and Fenland Museum by bus

Opened in 1847, this is one of the oldest museums in the UK. It covers the local and natural history of Wisbech and the Fens. Admission free.
Open Thur & Sat 1000-1600.
www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk
Bus see Wisbech above.

Elgoods Brewery & Gardens by bus

A traditional 18th century family brewery with a 4 acre garden containing mature specimen trees, herb gardens, a maze, lawns and water features. Tearoom and licensed bar.
Open please see website.
www.elgoods-brewery.co.uk
Bus see Wisbech above.

Wisbech map
Just Go Holidays
Just Go Holidays
Just Go Holidays