Peterborough Cathedral

Photo by Aleister Crowley

A monastic church was founded here by King Peada in 655 AD, destroyed by the Danes in 870, rebuilt as part of a Benedictine Abbey and re-consecrated in 972, burned down in an accidental fire in 1116 and re-built in its present form between 1118 and 1238. The porch was added about 1380, the eastern extension around 1500 and the central tower was re-built in the mid 1300's and again in the 1880's. In 1539 the monastery was closed by Henry VIII, but 18 months later in 1541, the church became the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Peterborough, with the last Abbot as the new Bishop, and Peterborough became a city.

In the Civil War much damage was done to the Cathedral by Cromwell's troops, and the Lady Chapel, Chapter House and Cloister were destroyed, only fragments of the stained glass windows were saved and these were later pieced together to form the apse windows. The choir stalls, bishop's throne, marble floor and high altar were all created by the Victorian architect Pearson after the tower had been re-built.

Edited view from market car park click here to see original image Picture By Alan Murray-Rust.

Highlights are:

• The West Front with its unique English Gothic Portico.

• The 13^th century painted nave ceiling.

• The burial places of Katharine of Aragon and of Mary Queen of Scots.

• The fan vaulting of the New Building Ceiling.

• The Hedda Stone (8th Century Saxon carving from the original church).

• St Oswald's chapel with its 12th century watchtower.

A fuller explanation of all the points you can see and a diagram of the layout can be reached by clicking here

Picture byDennis Smith

Outer wail of cloisters By Alan Murray-Rust

Location: Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Northants Grid Reference: TL194986 Ceremonial County: Northamptonshire Map Link: Multimap Aerial photo: Multimap Birds eye 3D Multimap  very good Getting there: Centre of Petersborough, see map above Access: Website: Own   Brief guide to layout Other Useful Websites: wiki  Email: info@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk Address: Peterborough Cathedral,  Peterborough Postcode: PE1 1XS Telephone: 01733 343342 Opening Times: Cathedral and cloisters are normally open to visitors Monday to Friday 9am-6:30pm,  Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 7:30am-5pm Visitor access may be limited whilst services are in progress. General visiting ends at 5pm on Monday to Friday (Evensong at 5:30 pm) and at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday (Evensong at 3:30pm), but visitors are most welcome to remain and join in the worship. Public areas of the Cathedral grounds are open throughout the year. Access may be limited to Henry's Gate on Wheel Yard after 6:45pm and before 7:30am every day and all day on 1st January each year. Charges: Donation expected, but no entry fee. The suggested donation is  £3.50 adults; £2.50 concessions. Nearby Locations: Other Location Pages: List of all Anglican cathedrals and other major Anglican churches in the UK Abbey section, including all major Christian buildings, regions orders, normal layouts and history. Notes:     Page Ref: Peterborough_Cathedral Classification:  Abbeys (incl. all Christian buildings) Date Updated: 09/2008

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