Birthday out
May. 23rd, 2016 08:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rich_jackoLast week, I took a day trip to Peterborough for my birthday.
Why Peterborough? Mostly because I'm an architecture nerd and it's home to the only "A-list" English cathedral I'd not yet been to. Also because it's a place I'd been through many times on the train and never actually stopped at, so I thought I'd see what was there. For 16 quid return I could hardly complain, and it was a gloriously sunny day to go exploring a new town.
The cathedral is indeed impressive, from its uniquely bonkers West Front to the beautiful New Building at the back (Only in England could an extension dating back to 1496 be called "The New Building"!). Entry is free and photo permits cost £3. Katherine of Aragon is buried here, and so was Mary, Queen of Scots (briefly, until James I had her moved to Westminster Abbey). It also contains the 9th century Hedda Stone, commemorating that Horrible Histories favourite - Viking raids on monasteries, and a 13th century painted ceiling. The sunlight pouring in made the stonework glow. I love visiting places like this when it's sunny.
The town centre was very pleasant. The medieval market square has been pedestrianised and modern fountains have been added. I had a look around the city museum, which is pretty similar to every city museum up and down the country in containing a hodgepodge of artefacts from local history and pre-history. The building itself has quite an interesting history though. For a time it served as Peterborough's first hospital. It still contains a Victorian operating theatre in nearly original condition. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take photos inside.
I also took a wander along the riverside. There's a heritage railway and a "Railworld" attraction, which I knew were closed that day, but I had a peek through the fence and a look around the station anyway. Then there was time for a relaxing pint in a nearby pub before heading back to the main station to catch my train home. A good day out. :o)
Why Peterborough? Mostly because I'm an architecture nerd and it's home to the only "A-list" English cathedral I'd not yet been to. Also because it's a place I'd been through many times on the train and never actually stopped at, so I thought I'd see what was there. For 16 quid return I could hardly complain, and it was a gloriously sunny day to go exploring a new town.
The cathedral is indeed impressive, from its uniquely bonkers West Front to the beautiful New Building at the back (Only in England could an extension dating back to 1496 be called "The New Building"!). Entry is free and photo permits cost £3. Katherine of Aragon is buried here, and so was Mary, Queen of Scots (briefly, until James I had her moved to Westminster Abbey). It also contains the 9th century Hedda Stone, commemorating that Horrible Histories favourite - Viking raids on monasteries, and a 13th century painted ceiling. The sunlight pouring in made the stonework glow. I love visiting places like this when it's sunny.
The town centre was very pleasant. The medieval market square has been pedestrianised and modern fountains have been added. I had a look around the city museum, which is pretty similar to every city museum up and down the country in containing a hodgepodge of artefacts from local history and pre-history. The building itself has quite an interesting history though. For a time it served as Peterborough's first hospital. It still contains a Victorian operating theatre in nearly original condition. Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take photos inside.
I also took a wander along the riverside. There's a heritage railway and a "Railworld" attraction, which I knew were closed that day, but I had a peek through the fence and a look around the station anyway. Then there was time for a relaxing pint in a nearby pub before heading back to the main station to catch my train home. A good day out. :o)
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