Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

Peterborough is a cathedral city on the east of England that was unusually designated as a new town during the late 1960s and probably views itself as a shopping centre.

Although evidence of settlements date back to The Bronze age and Roman times, a monastery was built here in the Anglo Saxon era and was originally known as Medeshamstede (Meadow homestead).  Abbot Kenulf decided to build a protective wall around the monastery during the 10th century as the previous one was destroyed by the Danes. He had no idea that his master plan was eventually going to be dwarfed by a Starbucks coffee shop !! ( see above picture). The name developed at this particular point in history to St Peters Burgh and eventually developed into the current name of Peterborough.

The current Cathedral, originally known as an Abbey was built during the 12th and 13th centuries and later survived English civil war and Henry VIII activities.

The big man closed the door in 1539 and re-opened it 2 years later as a Cathedral

Escape door from the Civil War action 

One of the more unusual facts is that despite Mary Queen of Scots rearing her head everywhere, the Cathedral was her final resting place in 1587.

Wet Square

The Guildhall built in the square in 1671 was used as a courtroom and parliamentary election location. I hope they didn't get the activities mixed up on the appropriate days... well some would argue that they are all criminals anyway !!.......

The town was originally famous for weaving wool and later the manufacture of bricks, the arrival of the railway in 1850 ensured that the products were distributed around England. The railway station was a blessing in disguise as the current journey time to London from here is only 50 minutes.  Without giving too many personal views about the shops that i saw, the place seemed a little empty and I can guess where all the people were !

The town hall council building built in 1930 is in one of the shopping streets which is additionally used as a party function venue....

Council Taxes and party prices are looking up, err or this that .... look like going up !

That's too much for one day so it's time to close the door on the history lesson for for one day and look for more interesting J_on_tour things....

 I take a step back and take a look at Abbot Kenulfs work from the other side and I'm struck with something weird to the the right....

I looked at this for a long time as had me puzzled. At first it seemed like that no bicycles were allowed to be attached to it as there are red rings around the wheels but then I realised the opposite may be true. Then again why would they want to risk hiding or potentially damaging some nice shrubs. It looks like the local cyclists don't know what it's about either as it's an empty parking space.
While I am talking about exercise and sporting activities, I forgot to mention that on my walk back from the Nene Valley railway, I noticed some water sports on the river....

Surfing on the River Nene !!

After my history description in the development of Peterborough, it seemed that the city was still in the process of construction......

... and lastly, Henry VIII gains his place in Peterborough's history on the Pizza Express building in the square, how apt !!  Not that he was a famous Pizza manufacturer .... but rather ..... it looks like the big man might have been a valued customer !!.....

Extra cheese, please !