Peterborough may be a city, but it’s one of the best and easiest places to drive in the UK. The construction of numerous parkways from the 1970s onwards has won the congestion fight – no city of comparable size in the UK has faster travel times, both on and off-peak.

The inner ring-road comprises the Frank Perkins Parkway, part of the Fletton Parkway, Nene Parkway and parts of the A47 and A15. Navigating this means you can avoid the city centre if you wish, but also lets you access the suburbs and the roads leading to other nearby cities.

The A1 and A1(M) run just to the west of the centre, leading you south to London or north past Grantham to Leeds and beyond. Leicester is easily reached by driving west on the A47, while it should take around two hours to get to Birmingham via the A14 and M6.

Peterborough is only an hour away from the lovely university town of Cambridge – take the A1(M) and then the A14 south-east. The A47 is the gateway to the east coast and Anglia, the A47 taking you to King’s Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

There are numerous short and long-stay car parks in the heart of the city, providing thousands of spaces in total. Close to the cathedral, there’s Car Haven car park on Bishop’s Road, Trinity Street car park near Peterborough Museum, and Market car park on Northminster, ideal for Queensgate Shopping Centre and the city’s market.

Peterborough has more than enough to hold the attention of visitors, but it’s also ideal if you’re planning to explore not just the Cambridgeshire countryside, but that of Northampton, Lincolnshire and Rutland as well. It’s a university city too, and in the centre you’ll find plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants – the perfect place to unwind after visiting the cathedral.

The city’s pride

Peterborough Cathedral might be one of the finest churches in the United Kingdom. The striking mixture of Gothic and Romanesque elements makes for a building that delivers aesthetically both inside and out. The current Norman construction has been here since the 12^th century, finished in 1237, but it stands on the site of an earlier place of Christian worship, built around 655 AD.

In the centuries since, it has loomed large in history. It’s where King Edward II rested on his way to defeat at Bannockburn in 1314. The storied reign of Henry VIII figures in its history too, with the exiled Cardinal Wolsey making a stop here, and Henry’s first wife, Katharine of Aragon, buried here as is Mary, Queen of Scots. There’s more history to unearth on your visit, with the cathedral gleaming after recent restoration.

A hidden gem

Peterborough Museum isn’t some dry civic spot packed full of dusty local artefacts. Housed in a fine old building, it holds more than 200,000 items that tell a vivid story of both local and national history. Highlights include the fossil collection, complete with Jurassic-era sea creatures, the Victorian operating theatre and the recreated cells of the first ever prisoner of war camp. The gardens are a delight on a spring or summer day, and there are Saxon and Roman items, which were recovered nearby.

Park perks

The countryside here is the epitome and green and pleasant, with Ferry Meadows one of the most popular places. This country park combines woodland, meadows, cycling and walking paths, playgrounds, lakes and more, all close to the city. You can go sailing, ride a miniature train and even fish in this oasis of greenery.

Travel a few miles to the imperious Elton Hall, a historic house built in the 15^th century and home to the Proby Family since as far back as 1660. The listed building has numerous architectural elements, Gothic perhaps chief amongst them, while the grounds contains part of the River Nene. While the building and chapel are both fine, the garden might edge it. The Victorian landscaped gardens incorporate an orangery, knot, rose and herbaceous gardens, a lily pond and some elaborate topiary.

With Peterborough car hire, you can get to these beautiful highlights of Cambridgeshire quickly, and you could even visit the nearby ruins of Fotheringhay Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed. Wherever you go in Peterborough, you’re surrounded by grand history.