Peterborough Heritage Festival crowds make history

A total of 37,600 people attended the festival, which saw crowds enjoy 3,500 years of history, 300 costumed re-enactors and 30 historical societies, representing key periods throughout Peterborough’s local history, from Bronze Age warriors to second world war soldiers.

Chief Executive of Vivacity, Kevin Tighe, says: “I am pleased to say that this was the busiest weekend we have ever seen at the Peterborough Heritage Festival. We have had an overwhelming response and people clearly enjoyed themselves, with visitors coming from Peterborough and all over the country. I would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors Perkins, without whose support, we would not have been able to put on this event.”

The festival weekend started with the Schools Day on the Friday. Hundreds of schoolchildren got an early preview of the festival, enjoying talks and activities hosted by the historical re-enactment groups within the Cathedral grounds.

On Saturday and Sunday the main festival activities swung into action, with re-enactments, archaeological tours, activities at the museum and St John’s Square, a period market, food fayre, and children’s zone in the Cathedral’s cloisters. On the Saturday night, attendees enjoyed an audience with Dr Janina Ramirez from Oxford University who delivered the keynote lecture.