England
Cambridgeshire

Peterborough Cathedral

The first monastery here goes back to 655, when the royal family of the kingdom of Mercia converted to Christianity. King Peada founded a monastery church here, but that monastery was sacked by the Norse in 870 and rebuilt about 100 years later. This late Saxon church survived attack by Hereward the Wake in 1070, but fell to a servant's carelessness with fire in 1116. The nave, rounded apse, transepts, and chancel were completed by 1175.

When you look at the west front of Peterborough it is hard to shake the impression that the builders weren't quite sure which style to adopt, so they included a bit of everything. Officially called a screen front, there are three enormous Gothic arches topped by triangular gables and side turrets, all of which projects from and masks a simpler deep-set facade. Some people find the effect jarring, almost grotesque; others regard it as one of the finest works of Gothic architecture in the country. The design is based on the double square, and the proportions of width to height are those of classical music.

The Monk's Stone in choir aisle was thought for many years to commemorate monks who died at the hands of the Danes, but it was only recently determined that the stone is much earlier, dating from the 8th century.

Catherine of Aragon was buried here, and her tomb bears marks of desecration rendered by Puritans. So too was Mary Queen of Scots until her son James I ordered her body removed to Westminster Abbey. One of the interesting features of the interior is the ceiling of the nave, which is panelled in wood and richly painted, and the fan vaulted retrochoir.

Peterborough Cathedral is often bypassed by tourists in favour of more well-known cathedrals, such as nearby Ely, but Peterborough must be considered one of the most intriguing of medieval buildings.

DEAN"S GARDEN
Though officially the private garden of the Dean of the Cathedral, The Deanery Garden is open to visitors on certain days throughout the summer months. It is a good example of the style known as "Early Victoirian Picturesque", influenced by the writings of prominent Victorian gardeners William Robinson and John Loudon. Within the garden are the remains of a Norman Castle, built by Toraldus, a follower of William the Conqueror. Toraldus was later appointed abbott of Peterborough by William. Tickets for the Dean's Garden are available from the Welcomers desk in the Cathedral.

Details
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
England
PE1 1XS
Website: Peterborough Cathedral
Email: info@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01733 343 342
Fax: 01733 355 316
map
OS TL193 986

Cambridge | Crowland Abbey | Duxford Air Museum | Ely | Elsworth | Elton House Grantchester | Huntingdon | Kimbolton | Peterborough | Ramsey | St. Ives | St. Neots | Thorney | Wicken Fen | Wimpole Hall | Wisbech

Cambridgeshire links

Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2001