The classically British city of Peterborough, found in the east of England in Cambridgeshire, is a fine place for family memories to be made. Whether it’s raining buckets or the sun is shining fit to burst, your little monsters will rejoice in fun (and educational, of course) activities. You might even have a bit of fun yourself, if you're lucky. Here at Plum Guide, we go above and beyond to cater to absolutely everyone, so read our pick of things to do in Peterborough with kids for a trip that the whole family will enjoy.
Let them loose at Big Sky
This indoor soft play area is a Peterborough institution. Perfect for birthday parties, bank holiday weekends and when the little darlings are getting a bit sick of running around the garden in your Plum Guide Cambridgeshire home, Big Sky is certain to burn off youthful energy and tire out your kids. Ball pits, slides, climbing areas and every other kind of indoor fun there is mean that children won’t get bored and come whining for you to play with them just when the cafe has brought you your cappuccino (yes, don’t worry, there’s a cafe). A climbing wall with four routes and a special area for babies and toddlers complete the picture.
Three Hundred Years, Plum Guide home in Cambridgeshire, UK
Visit Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery
For a slightly more cultural option of things to do in Peterborough with kids, the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery offers a fascinating glimpse into local history that will have your whole family desperate to learn more about the area. With more than 200,000 items on display from Jurassic-era fossils to Roman artefacts to bone art made by French Napoleonic War prisoners, there’s something surprising around every corner. The art gallery has both temporary and permanent exhibits, so you never know - you might just discover your new favourite artist. The organisation also puts on local ghost walks, if your kids are captivated by all things spooky - these are especially good to take around Halloween, and are family-friendly (unless you’re a total wimp, that is).
Grassmere, Plum Guide home in Norfolk, UK
Go for a dip at Peterborough lido
On hot summer days, the lido is Peterborough’s most hopping spot. Boasting no fewer than three outdoor heated pools, you can splash, dive, jump and play to your heart’s content. A 50m long pool, a teaching pool and a paddling pool mean your children can hop from one to the other while you, of course, relax on a pool float (the piña colada in your hand is a figment of your imagination, unfortunately). There’s also a large lawn with play equipment, a balcony designed to be the best place to catch some rays and a refreshment area, meaning you can stay and play all day long. Special family tickets are available throughout the summer, as an extra bonus.
Sparkle & Oak, Plum Guide home in Norfolk, UK
Take a trip to Railworld Wildlife Haven
Pink flowers and green trees at Railworld Wildlife Haven, Peterborough |Image by Environment City is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Choo choo! The train whose destination is fun things to do in Peterborough with kids is pulling into the station. Train nerds, assemble (we know you’re out there) because Railworld Wildlife Haven is a truly smashing day out. This model railway has almost too many kinds of locomotives to count. You can explore a classic Swedish Pacific steam train which is being restored, check out the Garden Railways and even spot Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends out on an adventure. In the Model Railway proper, there are 2,000 square feet of track and plenty of buttons to push to get them to traverse the tracks - channel the Fat Controller and get those trains moving. Just don’t forget to make a donation, because it’s built by volunteers.
The Garrison, Plum Guide home in Cambridge, UK
Enjoy the scenery at Ferry Meadows
Bridge over water surrounded by trees at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough | Image by v1ctory_1s_m1ne is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Remember the carefree, bucolic days of your childhood, where you frolicked in fields, chased after the ice cream truck to secure your daily Flake 99 and played all day with friends until the sun set? Ferry Meadows is the place that will give your children those memories - plus a whole lot more.
A beautiful, unspoilt area of meadows, woodlands and lakes just three miles from the Peterborough city centre, there’s no limit to what you can do here. From walking the dog to cycling, fishing to horse riding, Ferry Meadows has it all. Three different play areas cater to different ages and there’s a robust events programme that runs year round with plenty of fun, sociable and educational activities. Older kids will love the orienteering program - who knows, they might even stop practising TikTok dances for long enough to make some friends offline rather than online for once. Alternatively, hire a pedalo for the whole family, make the kids pedal you along and enjoy the fact that you’ve finally hit an age where you’re happy to relax and let someone else take the lead (even if they do steer you into the side of the lake).
There are lots of cafes, as well as lovely spots to settle down for a picnic or even have a barbecue at one of the park’s built-in stands. If you’re after something more adrenaline-focused than munching a croissant while your bambinos play, head for Nene Outdoors, a water sports and outdoor activity venue that will get your blood pumping.
