New free summer story trail launches in Peterborough
A new story trail has kicked off in Peterborough to encourage children and young people to explore their city while inspiring them to create stories of their own.
The National Literacy Trust, in partnership with Peterborough Positive and Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, has launched The Mysterious Case of the Missing Words – a free, family-friendly trail designed to spark imagination, curiosity and creativity.
The trail takes families on a journey around Peterborough, challenging them to spot local landmarks and solve clues. Each clue rules out one possible answer, until they are left with one story setting, character and favourite hobby that children can use as inspiration for their own writing.
Designed for families with children aged 7–11, the trail is a free, fun summer activity that combines outdoor exploration with storytelling. After completing the mystery, participants can collect a free book from Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, where the trail begins and ends. Children can also take home a story planner sheet to help transform their adventure into their own original stories.
Becky Marrs, Manager for the National Literacy Trust in Peterborough, said: “Peterborough is rich in history and has many great local landmarks, making it the perfect place for a story trail. We know that when children can explore stories in fun and engaging ways, it helps inspire a love of reading and writing that can stay with them for life. That can make a real difference, helping to build confidence, support wellbeing, and improve learning and future opportunities.”
Pep Cipriano, Chief Executive of Peterborough Positive, said: "It's a pleasure to be able to support the National Literacy Trust in Peterborough through our Small Grants Scheme. Their free story trail is a fantastic activity for families during the summer holidays, giving them a fun way to explore the city centre and find out more about its landmarks and history, while inspiring creativity and storytelling."
Copies of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Words are available to collect free from Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery and can also be downloaded from https://literacytrust.org.uk/communities/peterborough/summer-story-trail/. The trail is available from 21 July to 29 August 2026, is suitable for families with children aged 7– 11, and takes approximately one to two hours to complete.