Peterborough

Peterborough is a cathedral city in England, located in the district of the same name within the county of Cambridgeshire. It lies about 74 miles north of London along the River Nene. As of 2021, the city had a population of 192,178 people in its urban area, with the wider district estimated to have around 219,510 residents in 2023.

The area has been settled since before the Bronze Age, with important archaeological sites like Flag Fen nearby. During the Roman era, people lived there too. The Anglo-Saxon period brought the founding of a monastery called Medeshamstede, which later evolved into the famous Peterborough Cathedral.

In the 1800s, the city's population grew quickly after railways arrived. Peterborough became known for making bricks and for engineering work. After World War II, many jobs in factories disappeared, but the city grew again when it was named a new town in the 1960s. Today, many people work in financial services and in distribution centers.

2021 Religious Census

The 2021 Census showed a big change in the religions of people living in Peterborough. For the first time, more people were not Christian than were Christian. This change happened because more people did not follow any religion, growing from 24.6% in 2011 to 32.5% in 2021. The number of people following Islam also grew, from 9.4% in 2011 to 12.2% in 2021, and most of these people have Pakistani backgrounds. Hinduism grew a little bit, from 1.5% in 2011 to 1.8% in 2021. The percentages of Jews, Buddhists, and Sikhs stayed the same as in 2011. Fewer people did not say what their religion was, dropping from 6.7% in 2011 to 5.8% in 2021.

History

Toponymy

The city of Peterborough was originally called Medeshamstede. Its name changed to Burgh after Abbot Kenulf built a defensive wall around the abbey dedicated to Saint Peter. Over time, the name developed into Peterborough. In the 12th century, it was also known as Gildenburgh.

Early history

Peterborough has been a place where people lived for thousands of years because the River Nene creates dry land in The Fens. You can see old Iron Age remains and signs of religious activity at Flag Fen, near the city centre. The Romans built a big fort at Durobrivae, west of Peterborough, and another fort at Longthorpe that could hold about 3,000 soldiers. Peterborough was an important place for making pottery during Roman times.

Peterborough became an Anglian settlement before AD 655, when Sexwulf founded a monastery there. The town faced tough times during wars, and later became an important place for history after the Norman conquest. It suffered during wars between King John and barons, and later became a cathedral under Henry VIII.

Second World War

During the war, Peterborough faced air raids that destroyed some houses and sadly took a few lives.

Modern history

The arrival of the railway in the 1850s changed Peterborough from a small market town into an industrial centre. The city became famous for making bricks, thanks to the local clay. Many big companies, like Perkins Engines and Baker Perkins, set up in Peterborough and employed many people.

In 1956, a big fire destroyed part of the old city centre. Peterborough grew a lot in the late 20th century, with new housing areas and shopping centres like Queensgate, opened in 1982. The city continued to develop with new buildings and projects, including Fletton Quays, which will bring more homes, offices, and places to visit.

Governance

Peterborough has one main local government group, called Peterborough City Council. This group meets at Peterborough Town Hall and works from Sand Martin House on Bittern Way. The council is part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which is led by the elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The area that the city council manages is called the district of Peterborough. This area includes the city and nearby villages and rural parts, especially to the north-west and north-east. The city's official status belongs to this district, not just the city itself. Much of the city has no special local government area, but some parts are in civil parishes, such as Bretton, Hampton Hargate and Vale, Orton Longueville, and Orton Waterville.

Economy

Peterborough has grown to become one of the strongest economies in the East of England. From 1995 to 2004, it was the most successful economy among cities in the area, growing faster than others. The city is especially known for its environmental goods and services, having the largest group of environmental businesses in the UK.

In 1994, Peterborough became one of four environment cities in the UK, aiming to be the country's top environment capital. A charity called Peterborough Environment City Trust was created to support this goal, organizing events like the 'Green Festival' until 2018. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some cultural activities stopped.

Peterborough plans to create many new jobs. By 2020, it aimed to add 17,500 jobs and grow its population to 200,000. Big companies like Tesco and Debenhams have opened large centers in the city, bringing hundreds of new jobs. The city also expects to build many homes to accommodate new residents.

Transport

Rail

Peterborough railway station is an important stop on the East Coast Main Line, about 45 to 50 minutes from central London. Trains from King's Cross to Edinburgh stop here every 20 minutes. It is also where several other train routes meet, connecting places like Norwich, Nottingham, Liverpool, Leicester, Birmingham, Ely, Cambridge, and Ipswich.

Water

The River Nene flows through Peterborough. The Nene Viaduct, built in 1847, carries the railway over the river and is the oldest surviving cast-iron railway bridge in the UK. The river was made navigable long ago, and there are reminders of Peterborough's history as an inland port.

Road

The A1/A1(M) road, part of European route E15, runs through Peterborough on its way from London to Edinburgh. Bus services in the city are provided by several companies. Peterborough has quick travel times for its size because of its parkways. Plans for a large logistics centre called Magna Park were suggested because of the city's good rail and road links.

Green Wheel and City Cycling

The Peterborough Millennium Green Wheel is a 50-mile network of paths for cyclists, walkers, and horse riders around the city. It includes art sculptures and community-made landscape features. The Hereward Way footpath goes from Oakham through Peterborough to East Harling. Cycling got a boost during the COVID-19 pandemic with new cycle lanes, but some plans for more lanes have been changed.

Demography

Population

The City of Peterborough has 223,655 people as of 2024. The number is expected to grow to 230,000 by 2031 and around 240,000 by 2041.

Peterborough grew very quickly from 2004 to 2013, partly because many people moved there.

Ethnicity

In 2011, most people in Peterborough, about 82.5%, said they were white. Some people were from mixed backgrounds (2.8%), Asian (11.7%), black (2.3%), or other groups (0.8%).

Many people in Peterborough have Italian roots, thanks to workers who came in the 1950s. The city also has people from Pakistan, India, and many other places. In recent years, many people from Central and Eastern Europe have moved to Peterborough.

Religion

Most people in Peterborough follow Christianity, especially the Church of England. There are also Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and people of other faiths or no faith. The city has many churches, mosques, a Hindu temple, and a Sikh temple.

Culture

Education

Peterborough has one special school called The Peterborough School. The city’s public schools have changed a lot. Five secondary schools closed in 2007 and were replaced with a new school called Thomas Deacon Academy. Many schools have grown bigger since then.

Peterborough has two colleges, Peterborough College and City College Peterborough. A new university campus, ARU Peterborough, opened in 2022. It is part of Anglia Ruskin University and offers many subjects for students.

Arts

Peterborough has many fun events, like the East of England Show and the Peterborough Festival. There are art groups, like the Peterborough Artists Open Studio. The Key Theatre puts on many shows, and there is an ice rink and swimming pools. The city also has many different restaurants from around the world.

Sport

Peterborough United Football Club, called “The Posh,” has been the city’s football team since 1934. They play at London Road. The team has had some big wins in cup games. Peterborough also has teams for rugby, cricket, and ice hockey. There are also places to ride bikes and run, like the Great Eastern Run.

Media

Peterborough gets its news from radio stations like BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Heart East. The Peterborough Telegraph is the city’s newspaper. The city has been used for TV shows and movies, like parts of The Barchester Chronicles and Octopussy.

Landmarks

Peterborough Cathedral, also called the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, was first built as a monastery in the year 655. It was rebuilt between 1118 and 1238 and has been the home of the Bishop of Peterborough since 1541. The cathedral is famous for its big, beautiful West Front with three large arches. Two important queens, Catherine of Aragon and Mary, Queen of Scots, are buried there.

Peterborough has many interesting places to see. The city was planned by Abbot Martin, who built it on dry ground away from the often-flooded marshes. The old Guildhall from the 1600s still stands, and the city has a big Victorian park with gardens, play areas, and sports facilities. The Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery has many old objects, including important fossils and art from many years ago.

Nearby, Burghley House is a grand home built in the 1500s, and Flag Fen is an ancient site with wooden poles that might have been used for special ceremonies. The Nene Valley Railway is a fun place to learn about old trains, and Nene Park has lakes and places to enjoy the outdoors.

Notable people

See also: List of people from Peterborough

Peterborough has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some have made their mark in sports, the arts, and other fields. The city continues to be a place where people grow and achieve great things.

Before 1950

Peterborough has a rich history with many important people born or living there long ago. One of these was Richard Cumberland, a philosopher who served as the 14th Lord Bishop of Peterborough from 1691 until he passed away in 1718. Edith Cavell, a nurse known for her kindness and help, was educated in Peterborough and is honored with a plaque in the cathedral and a hospital named after her.

The city is also linked to Hereward the Wake, who resisted the Norman Conquest, and St. John Payne, a Catholic leader recognized as a saint. Other famous people from Peterborough include George Alcock, an astronomer known for discovering new stars and comets, and John Clare, a well-loved poet from the nineteenth century.

After 1950

Peterborough has been home to many talented musicians and performers. Notable names include Sir Thomas Armstrong, a musician and educator, and Andy Bell, lead vocalist of the electronic pop duo Erasure. Other famous residents include comedian Ernie Wise and actor Paul Nicholas.

The city has also produced many sports stars. Footballer David Bentley and gymnast Louis Smith, who won a historic Olympic medal for Great Britain in the 2008 games, were both born in Peterborough. Other athletes from the city include footballers Isaiah Brown and Harry Wells, who plays rugby union for Leicester Tigers.

Geography

Peterborough is located in Cambridgeshire, England. The area has a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Because it is far from the Atlantic Ocean, Peterborough gets less rain than many other places in the UK, about 600 mm (2.0 ft) each year.

The land around Peterborough is mostly flat, shaped by ice sheets during the Ice Age. Some parts are below sea level, with the lowest point being near Holme Fen, about 2.75 metres (9.0 feet) below sea level. Peterborough is known as the "Gateway to the Fens," a wet, low-lying area that was often flooded before it was drained for farming.

Peterborough has many nearby villages and towns, such as Bretton, the Hamptons, and the Ortons. The city works with these areas for local government matters. Peterborough also has links with cities in other countries, such as Alcalá de Henares in Spain, Ballarat in Australia, Bourges in France, and Vinnytsia in Ukraine, to promote friendship and understanding.

Paleontology

Fossils of an ancient fish called Planohybodus were discovered near Peterborough. These fossils are from the Middle Jurassic period, which was millions of years ago. The special name Planohybodus peterboroughensis was given to honor the city of Peterborough in 2008.

Freedom of the City

Some special people, groups, and military units have been given a special honor called the Freedom of the City of Peterborough.

Individuals

• Peter Boizot: 2007
• Wyndham Thomas, British architect, 19 September 2015
• Louis Smith: 21 March 2017
• James Fox: 21 March 2017
• Lee Manning: 21 March 2017
• Tommy Robson: 12 March 2020

Military units

• RAF Wittering: 1983
• 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers): 25 July 2009
• 115 (Peterborough) Squadron Air Training Corps: 28 April 2014

Organisations and groups

• The Salvation Army (Peterborough Branch): 4 March 2015
• Royal British Legion (Peterborough Branch): 28 July 2021