Roundheads and Cavaliers to fight for Peterborough at heritage festival

The Peterborough Heritage Festival is a chance to experience 3,500 years of history in this unique, living history festival in the heart of the city and the stunning surroundings of the cathedral precincts.

Now in its ninth year, it is presented by Vivacity in association with Perkins Engines Company Limited, Peterborough Cathedral and Peterborough City Council - attracting over 37,500 people last year.

The highlight for this year will commemorate the 375 th anniversary of the start of the English Civil War, seeing Parliamentarians and Royalists battle in a full blown re-enactment.

Visitors will be able to see Roundheads and Cavaliers battle for control of Peterborough in a spectacular display of fighting skill with period weaponry, armour and siege tactics.

The Heritage Festival also features a large programme of fringe events running from June 10 to 24, where people can get involved with the multitude of heritage societies and attractions across the city.

The Festival is also building on the success of the last 2 years’ popular schools day, providing an opportunity for local children to come and meet characters from different periods of Peterborough’s history, bringing the story of their city to life. School parties will spend a day ‘time travelling’ between different living history encampments, being able to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the past.

David Nicoll, marketing director at Perkins, which has provided generous support to the Heritage Festival since 2015, says: “The Peterborough Heritage Festival offers a fun-packed weekend of activities and gives thousands of people the chance to learn more about our shared local history.

This will be a wonderful experience for families, and people of all ages and backgrounds, living in Peterborough and beyond. Come and get involved in one of the best heritage events in the country!”

Rachel Walmsley, lead officer for Vivacity on the Heritage Festival adds “We’re delighted to be able to build on the success of previous years, and we’re indebted our partners for their support in enabling it to not only continue, but grow. Being able to offer such an exciting, family friendly and free programme of events attracts visitors not just from Peterborough, but from across the country,

putting the city on the map.”