London UK, Spring 2015: 4) Peterborough and It's Cathedral

We were living out of our backpacks on our journey from London.  We checked out of the Thorpe Lodge around 10 am and went in search of breakfast.  Afterwards we stumbled upon our first pub of the day, The Drapers Arms.  It's nice to get one's day started off properly.

Just up the road was the historic heart of Peterborough, centered on the Guildhall and the Cathedral.  We spent a considerable amount of time in and around both, especially the cathedral.  It is an amazing structure, with beautiful windows that let in all sorts of light.  It is overwhelming in the way only a great cathedral can be, and in this one it is worth exploring every nook and cranny.  It is the final resting place of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, and at one point the Queen of England.

The commercial heart of the city lies just outside the walls of the cathedral, with plenty of cafes, shops, bookstores and the tourist information centre.  We went for a late lunch to a pub situated in the bottom of a giant floating barge (see the pub section).  Charters Pub serves excellent cask ales and cider, and has Thai food on offer with plenty of veg options.

Our train back to London left at 16:25, and we were back in London before 5:30 pm.  We met up with Caroline for dinner, going to the London branch of a Dublin microbrewery, called "Porterhouse."  Then it was back to our original hotel.  We had a big walk ahead of us tomorrow, though lots of rain was predicted.

The Guildhall, central Peterborough

Deb enters the inner courtyard of the cathedral, Peterborough.  It was once an abbey.

 

 The original ceiling is wood!
 

Closer view of the ceiling, which was painted with dozens of scenes.

 

The photo gives some idea of the amount of windows within, and the 

quality and quantity of light admitted.

 

Looking up at the central tower.

 

 Ceiling of the apse, a more modern addition (1600s).

 Detail on an inside wall.

 North transept stained glass windows.  Look at the top right set, then see the detail below.

 The stained glass windows were glorious!  Detail from the north transept.

"Young Men In Peril," from a design by Dante Gabriel Rosetti, executed
by the studio of William Morris.  South transept. 

 Interior of cathedral, at the modern altar, which is centrally located.

We were able to completely circle the cathedral.  This view looks north, over the outer walls.

 Narrow boat on the River Nene, Peterborough.

Bewiched, a classy cafe in the central area of Peterborough.

Our walk in central Peterborough begins on the green arrow
near our hotel around 10 am, and ends at the train station at 4:15 pm.