Exploring Peterborough

Our first two days in England were full of errands. Tracking down car seats, car shopping, unpacking our few belongings, finding a grocery store, etc. And negotiating with overtired kids, one of which was sick. But since we were in a very small temporary apartment during our first week, after a couple of days we were itching to get out and explore.

We still had a lot on the to-do list, so we didn’t venture far that third day. Our apartment was in Peterborough, a fairly large city by English standards. My husband’s company is in the process of opening an office here and he’ll eventually be commuting here. So it was a good chance to familiarize ourselves with the area.

The boys were up really early that day (thanks, jet lag). Naturally our first stop was here.

There should really be a limit on how many tantrums can be thrown before parents are properly caffeinated.

Fueled up and ready, then it was on to St. Peter’s Cathedral. Probably what Peterborough is most known for, at least from a tourist’s perspective. It dates back to the 12th century, although it has sustained some damage over the years. Henry the VIII’s first wife is buried there, and more recently Queen Elizabeth has visited on a couple of different occasions.

Since it was so early, we were the only ones inside and could take our time checking out the nooks and crannies. Big Arrow, who has a budding interest in knights and armor, loved this shield and asked me to take a picture.

From there, we walked across the long, pedestrian square, and window shopped in the stores that weren’t yet open. (You save a lot of money that way.)

Then we strolled through the mall. We’ll likely do most of our shopping either in our village or in the nearby town of Stamford, but I’ve already been told there are some items that you have to go to Peterborough to get. So seeing the types of stores and what they offered was a good learning experience.

I think the kids decided the mall was ok, as long as a ride on Chuggington was included.

The next week, I returned to the mall with the boys to get a few things, and sure enough, they were begging for Chuggington. And I’ve decided that two pounds is a small price to pay for happy little shoppers.

Never heard of Peterborough? That's ok... later this week, I'm posting about a city you probably know a little more about. Starts with an L.