Living in Peterborough

Local life in Peterborough combines a strong sense of heritage with a welcoming, forward-facing community spirit. Residents are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, creating a diverse social atmosphere enhanced by frequent cultural events, open-air markets, and citywide festivals.

Neighbourhoods are served by active community centres, faith spaces, and libraries, while market days in Cathedral Square add to the bustling urban feeling. The city is renowned for its green spaces, such as Ferry Meadows in Nene Park and Central Park, which attract families, joggers, and dog-walkers throughout the year. Local clubs, sports teams, and volunteer organisations offer plenty of ways for residents to socialise and get involved, fostering a collaborative community ethos.

Crime rates in Peterborough reflect its status as a large regional city, with variations between neighbourhoods. While the city centre and some urban estates have higher reported incidents, suburbs such as Werrington, Hampton, and Orton are often considered more family-friendly and typically see lower crime rates.

Recent years have seen investment in community policing and CCTV, as well as local safety partnerships and neighbourhood watch schemes. Ongoing regeneration efforts in the city centre have focused on improving lighting, public spaces, and resident engagement with anti-social behaviour initiatives. Residents generally regard Peterborough as having a realistic but improving safety outlook, especially with visible efforts to support vulnerable groups and youth outreach programmes.

Parking in Peterborough caters to both residents and visitors, with several multi-storey car parks in the city centre and widespread free or permit-based on-street parking in residential areas. Neighbourhoods such as Hampton and Orton typically have ample parking space, while the city centre can be busier during weekdays and events. Peterborough operates some residents’ parking schemes close to the city core and at certain railway access points.

The city’s strategic location means excellent road access via the A1(M), A47, and A15, linking Peterborough with surrounding towns and cities. Traffic congestion is moderate and mostly peaks at rush hour, though recent improvements to the parkway system and main roundabouts have eased bottlenecks in key zones.

Nearest towns and cities:
Stamford – approx. 20 minutes via A1 (14 miles)
Cambridge – approx. 55 minutes via A14 (38 miles)
Leicester – approx. 1 hour via A47 (41 miles)
Lincoln – approx. 1 hour 25 minutes via A15 (61 miles)

Peterborough boasts a lively mix of food, pubs, and nightlife options that reflect its multicultural background and evolving city identity. Independent cafés, bakeries, and international restaurants fill streets around Cathedral Square and the historic quarter, offering everything from Mediterranean and South Asian cuisine to traditional English pub fare.

The city centre has a variety of popular pubs, such as The Brewery Tap and The Draper’s Arms, as well as several microbreweries and real ale venues. Nightlife ranges from relaxed bars to late-night venues like Edwards and Aruba, with additional seasonal pop-up bars around Cathedral Square. For culture lovers, The Key Theatre and New Theatre regularly host live performances, while independent cinemas and arts venues provide alternative entertainment.

Takeaways and street food are also a feature, alongside regular food festivals and themed markets supporting a fast-growing culinary scene in Peterborough.

School quality: Peterborough’s mix of Ofsted-rated 'Good' and 'Outstanding' schools, as well as modern colleges and university provisions, attract families looking for a full educational journey from nursery through to higher education.

Parks and green space: The Nene Park complex, including Ferry Meadows, as well as numerous playgrounds and formal gardens, offer abundant safe play areas, cycle trails, and nature activities for all ages.

Childcare: Numerous nurseries, pre-schools, and childminding services operate across Peterborough, supporting working parents and early-years learning.

Safety: While the city centre has busier zones, suburban neighbourhoods are widely considered secure with active community support and neighbourhood watch systems in place.

Family activities: Attractions such as Peterborough Museum, indoor play centres, seasonal fairs, and nearby wildlife parks provide year-round entertainment for children and families, making the city well-suited for family life.

Pet-friendly living in Peterborough is supported by the city’s parks, riverside paths, and ongoing development of green corridors and accessible nature reserves. Ferry Meadows and Nene Park are favourites for dog walkers, offering wide open spaces, water access, and pet-friendly cafés. Local veterinary practices, pet shops, and training centres are well distributed across the city and suburbs.

Most neighbourhoods, including Hampton and Gunthorpe, feature both private and council-run green areas, and housing options are generally accommodating regarding pet ownership. Many cafés and some pubs offer dog-friendly facilities, reflecting a local culture that warmly welcomes responsible pet owners.

Peterborough is a major transport hub in Cambridgeshire, offering extensive public transport links and easy access to key regional and national destinations. The centrally located Peterborough railway station is a key stop on the East Coast Main Line, providing fast, direct connections to major cities including London, York, Leeds, Edinburgh, and more.

Local bus services traverse the city and outlying villages, while long-distance bus and coach services operate from Queensgate Bus Station. The A1(M) and A47 provide major road connections, making Peterborough ideal for both car-based and public transport commuters.

Typical public transport commute times:

• London King's Cross – approx. 50 mins by direct train
• Cambridge – approx. 50 mins by train (direct or via Ely)
• Leicester – approx. 55 mins by train (direct)
• Stamford – approx. 15 mins by train

Stansted, Luton, and East Midlands airports are all within an hour’s drive, expanding the range of international travel options. Cycling and walking routes are well maintained, especially along the Green Wheel network.

Peterborough offers a wide array of educational opportunities, catering to families at all stages. The city is home to numerous primary and secondary schools, including several rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, along with further education colleges and a university campus.

Primary Schools
- The King's School (Outstanding, Ofsted 2023): An historic Church of England school with strong academic and extracurricular standards.
- Werrington Primary School (Good, Ofsted 2022): Serving the northern suburbs with a focus on community engagement.
- Braybrook Primary Academy (Good, Ofsted 2023): Located in Orton Goldhay, known for its inclusive approach.
- Thorpe Primary School (Good, Ofsted 2019): Close to the city centre, with a broad curriculum and active parent involvement.

Secondary Schools
- The King's School (Outstanding, Ofsted 2023): Also a top-performing secondary and sixth form, selective and widely recognised.
- Arthur Mellows Village College (Outstanding, Ofsted 2014): Serving Glinton and nearby villages, highly sought-after.
- Jack Hunt School (Good, Ofsted 2019): A larger comprehensive in the west, with strong community links.
- St John Fisher Catholic High School (Good, Ofsted 2022): Renowned for pastoral care and academic results.

Colleges
- Peterborough College: Large FE college offering both vocational qualifications and A-level courses.
- City College Peterborough: Focused on adult learning, apprenticeships, and accessible courses for all ages.

Universities
- ARU Peterborough: The new Anglia Ruskin University campus in Peterborough, delivering degrees and higher education with an emphasis on practical skills and employability in engineering, health, and business subjects.