 | The city of Peterborough is located in eastern England and along with a number of surrounding towns it forms the Peterborough Unitary Authority. Peterborough's origins can be traced back to the Roman era when a town was fomed around the fort of Durobrivae around 43AD.
By the 14th century Peterborough was known for its weaving and woolcombing trades, while the city also held three fairs, two granted in 1189 and another granted in 1439. Markets are still held in the city each week in tradition with its past.
Other noteable events to take place in this city include Peterborough sending two members to parliament for the first time in 1547, and philosopher Richard Cumberland becoming bishop of Peterborough in 1691.
The building of the East Coast railway line also brought prosperity to Peterborough as the city soon developed into a vibrant railway hub. Today it continues to be important for transport, providing the east of England with a direct train link to London.
These days Peterborough is a multi-cultural city, with large Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Italian communities and an estimated population of 157,000.
It is also the place where King Henry VIII's first wife Catherine of Aragon is buried and is twinned with the Spanish city of Alcala de Henares, Catherine's birthplace.
There are a number of interesting tourist attractions to visit in Peterborough, including the medieval Peterborough Cathedral, which is dedicated to St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew, and stands on the site of a church founded by King Peada of Mercia in 655.
Other highlights include Flag Fen, where archaeologists found the oldest wheel in Britain, and the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, which is situated in the city's most haunted building.
Postcodes for Peterborough begin with the letters PE and as well as Peterborough itself the PE postcode includes St Ives, Skegness, Boston, King's Lynn, Sandringham, Hunstanton, Stamford, Bourne, Chatteris, Swaffham, Downham Market, Huntingdon, Spilsby, March, Spalding, Wisbech and St Neots. |
