Children's walking tours

Lifestyle | Article

Children aged from seven-plus have the chance to relive thrilling events from Peterborough’s history during a series of guided walking tours around Peterborough city centre on Tuesdays 24 and 31 July and 7 August. The tours start from the Tourist Information Centre at 2.30 pm.

The entertaining and fascinating commentary will reveal the gory details of Viking raids on Peterborough, how the ancient abbey was destroyed by fire and attacked by Hereward the Wake and how the present cathedral building was desecrated by the troops of Oliver Cromwell.

The one-hour experience will include tours of the cathedral building, ruins and graveyard, visits to ancient monuments and fascinating facts behind the construction of the Guildhall building on Cathedral Square and the party that followed its formal opening. Prior booking is not necessary.

For adults, the 90-minute 'Historic Peterborough' tours continue on Saturdays (21 and 28 July and 4 August) and will explore the history of the city from medieval times until the present. The guide will describe how two queens were buried at the cathedral and how prehistoric fossils can be found in the Queensgate shopping centre. The tours depart from the Tourist Information Centre at 1.30 pm. Prior booking is not necessary.

Fascinating insights into the historical connections behind Peterborough's street names will be revealed in a 'What's in a name?' tour on Sunday 5 August starting from the Cathedral Norman arch at 2.30 pm. Names such as Cumbergate, Cobden Street and Wheelyard will all be explored during the 90-minute tour. Prior booking is necessary

All tours are arranged by the Tourist Information Centre. Tickets cost £4 for adults; £3 for students and pensioners; and £2 for under-16s. For more information telephone (01733) 452336.

July 2007 - Peterborough UK Community Website