Peterborough Cathedral will be opening up some of their buildings for you to explore, with guides on hand to answer any questions. Entry to many of these spaces is FREE during Heritage Open Weekend.

Almoner’s Hall

Open: Saturday 10.45am – 3.15pm. Sunday 10.45am – 3.15pm

Almoner’s Hall is a 15th century Grade 1 listed building in the grounds of the Cathedral on the east side of the Precincts. It was from this building that the medieval abbey’s Almoner administered the monastic estates, raising income to support the distribution of food to the poor. The Hall was carefully restored in the 1990s to create a modern and comfortable interior which still retains its characteristic timber beam ceilings and stone floors.

Cathedral Library

Open: Saturday 10.45am – 3.15pm. Sunday 10.45am – 3.15pm

Tucked away above the Cathedral’s 14th century porch is a remarkable library which houses some of the books and periodicals donated to the Cathedral in recent years. Although most of the Abbey’s and Cathedral’s books and papers from earlier years (before 1800) are held at Cambridge University Library, this remarkable space is where volunteers continue to work on updating the library’s catalogue.

The King’s Lodging

Open: Saturday 11.00am – 12.00 noon

Visit the remains of Peterborough’s medieval prison, the royal apartments and the room above the Cathedral gateway. Access is only available through step spiral staircase.

Tour Table Hall and the Infirmary

Discover the remains of the Abbey’s Hospital. This guided tour includes a rare chance to go inside the 15th century Table Hall. The tour will last just over an hour.

Places on the tour are free, but strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly recommended.

Tour times and online booking links:

Saturday 14th September at 1.00pm
Saturday 14th September at 3.00pm

Cathedral Highlights Tours

Find out about the people, events and stories connected with the Cathedral in one of our FREE highlights tours. More Cathedral Tour information can be found here.

The tour lasts around 45 minutes. Meet at the Welcome Desk just inside the main door of the Cathedral.

Tour times and online booking links:

Saturday 14th September at 12.00pm
Saturday 14th September at 1.00pm
Saturday 14th September at 2.00pm
Sunday 15th September at 1.00pm

Tower Tours

Get the best view in Peterborough and see into the many hidden spaces. The tour includes the belfry, stained glass at close quarters and the windlass used by the medieval masons, as well as taking in the fantastic view from the top of the tower. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.  More Tower Tour information can be found here.

Tickets: £10 adults (£8 concessions). For safety reasons the tour is open only to those who are in good health and aged over 8.

Places on the tour are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly recommended.

Tour times and  online booking links:

Tower Tour Saturday 14th September at 11.30am 
Tower Tour Saturday 14th September at 2.30pm 
Tower Tour Sunday 15th September at 2.30pm

Cathedral Visitor and Learning Centre

Heritage Open Weekend is a great opportunity to look inside the Cathedral’s Visitor and Learning Centre, with its timeline and interactive displays. It was opened in September 2016 after two years of painstaking building conservation, and much detailed research to bring the Cathedral’s history to life.