‘Time warp’ village near Peterborough that’s home to a former royal residence you’ve probably never heard of

The summer holidays are now underway here in Peterborough and that means one thing for parents: the challenge of planning days out.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of overpaying for days out over the summer, but thankfully in and around Peterborough there are plenty of interesting places to visit that won’t cost you a penny.

There’s plenty to get up to in Peterborough over the coming weeks, but if you fancy something a bit more sedate, why not consider one of the many beautiful villages just a stone’s throw from the city.

Boasting historic pubs, beautiful walking trails and cosy cafes, spending a few hours in one of our local villages is a great way to kill a summer afternoon.

Within a 20-mile radius of the city are literally hundreds of tiny villages to consider visiting, though it’s fair to say that some you’re unlikely to have heard of.

Some of these tiny villages are home to under 200 people, but that only adds to their rural charm.

Why Apethorpe is a must-visit during summer 2026

Wedged between King’s Cliffe and Woodnewton - two beautiful villages in their own right - sits the tiny village of Apethorpe.

Just 11 miles west of Peterborough, the village is home to under 200 people and can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was known as Patorp.

The number of roads comprising Apethorpe can be counted on one hand, but in true English fashion the village still finds room to fit in a pub.

The King’s Head, in Kings Cliffe Road, is your typical low-beam pub which replaced the old Westmoreland Arms when it was demolished at the start of the 20th century.

On the other side of the village (a few hundred yards away) visitors will find St Leonard’s Church, which dates back to the 14th century.

Every property in the picture-postcard village is made from stone, meaning visitors could easily confuse them for those found in the Cotswolds.

The jewel in the village’s crown is without doubt Apethorpe Palace, described by English Heritage as one of England’s greatest stately homes.

A former royal residence, the building was owned by Henry VIII and then Elizabeth I.

The palace became a favourite royal residence of both James I and Charles I, with both monarchs regularly staying there.

Now privately owned, the palace opens its doors to the public on select dates each summer.

If you’re looking for another reason to visit Apethorpe, it’s rumoured that none other than Rowan Atkinson used to live in the village.