The secret Saxon tunnel that lies beneath Peterborough Cathedral - and why few are allowed inside

Boasting more than 1,300 years of history, Peterborough Cathedral is without doubt the crown jewel of the city’s skyline.

Founded in 655 AD as a monastery, the building was destroyed in 870 AD and re-founded around a century later.

Under the rule of King Henry VIII, the abbey church was established as a cathedral, marking a new chapter in the building’s tumultuous history.

Having survived damage from both the English Civil War and Second World War, the Cathedral as we know it has remained ever present in Peterborough over the past eight centuries.

Over time, however, the Cathedral has evolved through necessity.

Various restoration projects over the centuries have maintained the Cathedral’s grandeur for future generations.

Perhaps inevitably, these projects have shed light on the Cathedral’s past, including its early Anglo-Saxon roots.

The Anglo-Saxon foundations beneath Peterborough Cathedral

In the late 1880s, with the main tower of the Cathedral was in danger of collapse, a major construction project was commissioned to ensure its longevity for years to come.

Ambitiously for the time, the tower was disassembled, underpinned and then painstakingly reconstructed.

During these works, the Victorian engineers uncovered foundations of the 10th century Saxon church underneath.

Thankfully, those involved in the project preserved their fascinating find by creating a viewing tunnel beneath the Cathedral.

The tunnel stretches around 50 metres, from the south aisle to the south transept.

Sadly, for both safety reasons and the conservation of the remains, the tunnel is not open to visitors.