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The city of Peterborough has a long and interesting history. There is evidence of people living here from as far back as 3000 years, which can be seen in the form of the bronze age settlement known as Flag Fen. Today the remains are one of Europe's most important archaeological sites of this type.

The next major stage of Peterborough's development comes a few thousand years later, in Roman times. In around 43 AD, the Romans established a fortress, which grew in size to become an industrial centre. based around the production of pottery. This fortress was known as Durobrivae meaning “the walled town of bridges”.

During Saxon years, a village was built on the site of Peterborough, and was known as Medehampstede. This village was chosen as the site for an abbey in 645 AD. Following many attacks from marauding Danes though the abbey was destroyed. A new abbey was constructed in 972 and a village grew around it. In order to protect it, a wall was built around it and it became known as St Peter's Burh, (Burh being the Saxon for fortified settlement). In an attempt to overthrow William the Conqueror in 1070, an army of Danes, assisted by local Saxon landowners, attacked the abbey and burnt the town, although it survived and was quickly rebuilt.

Following Henry VIII's closure of all monasteries and abbeys, in 1539, the abbey was closed, but two years later it was made a cathedral and Peterborough became a city. Both Henry VIII's first wife, Katherine of Aragon, and Mary Queen of Scots were buried in Peterborough Cathedral.

Over the years, Peterborough remained a small market town, with most of its trade coming from wool weaving, though for a time, clay pipe manufacturing contributed to the towns growth. It wasn't until the 19th Century however that Peterborough began to grow substantially. With the arrival of the railway in 1845 came a rapid increase in population. Following from this, many developments were made including piped water supplies, a sewage system and a public library. By 1901 Peterborough had a population of 30,000. Throughout the 20th Century Peterborough continued to grow. In 1967, it was made a 'New Town'. It was decided to double the population from 80,000 to 160,000. A development committee was formed, and massive growth started.

Throughout Peterborough's history, many changes have occurred, and there remain a great deal of remnants of its long historical past. For some more information on just some of the public attractions, historical and otherwise in Peterborough, see the Location and Nearby Attractions Page.

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