Peterborough itself boasts a fascinating history, but it's worth remembering that the towns and villages surrounding our city have their own intriguing past.
If you jumped in a time machine and travelled back 700 or 800 years, you’d quickly realise how important a role castles played in medieval life.
Castles were vital in the Middle Ages because they served as military strongholds, seats of local government, and symbols of power.
They protected kings and lords from enemies, controlled vital trade routes, and helped maintain order over captured.
The arrival of the Normans in 1066 led to a new age of castle construction to act as defensive positions against warring tribes or invaders.
Several such castles were built near Peterborough all those centuries ago, although very few exist in their full form today.
Some were destroyed intentionally, while others were left to crumble over the centuries.
Here we take a look at five castles which once stood high and mighty near Peterborough, and what remains in 2026:
1. Fotheringhay Castle
Fotheringhay Castle - an 11th century Norman motte-and-bailey fortress - was founded by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton.As well as being the birthplace of King Richard III, the castle was the location of Mary, Queen of Scots’ trial and execution in 1587. Today only a small section of the castle’s masonry remains intact, which visitors can find to the very east of the village. Photo: Tim Heaton
2. Huntingdon Castle
Huntingdon Castle was a 1068 Norman motte-and-bailey fortress built for William the Conqueror to control a vital River Great Ouse crossing. The castle was a major royal stronghold during the Anarchy before being dismantled in 1174, with only earthen mounds and a scheduled monument remaining today. Photo: Duncan Grey
3. Essendine Castle
Located in the small village of Essendine, near Stamford, Essendine Castle is now a medieval moat surviving as an earthwork.Historical records indicate that the medieval complex was probably built by the Busseys or Robert de Vipont at the end of the 12th or early 13th centuries. Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England, of which Essendine Castle is one. Photo: Google
4. Benefield Castle
Benefield Castle, just west of Oundle, was a medieval ringwork castle believed to have been constructed in the mid-12th century. The remains of Benefield Castle survive well as substantial earthwork features occupying a prominent position in the landscape. The castle was destroyed in the mid-13th century. The above image shows the village's St Mary the Virgin church, located adjacent to the castle site. Photo: Jonathan Thacker