Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery

About the museum

Peterborough Museum is housed in a mansion on Priestgate that was built in 1816 for the magistrate Thomas Cooke, on the site of an older house whose cellars still survive. The building later served as the city’s first hospital, working as a public dispensary and infirmary from 1857 until the War Memorial Hospital opened in 1928. The museum traces its roots to a natural history and archaeological society formed in 1871, whose collection began in 1880. In 1931 Sir Percy Malcolm Stewart gave the Priestgate building to the society for museum use, and an art gallery was added in 1939.

The museum is run on behalf of the city by a local culture trust and offers free entry, apart from event days and paid exhibitions. Its galleries cover millions of years of local history, from Jurassic seas and the Ice Age to Roman fortresses, railways and modern industry.

The Jurassic Gallery shows marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, which the museum describes as among the finest in the world. The Archaeology Gallery shows about 500 mostly local finds from prehistory to the medieval period, and Peterborough’s prehistoric archaeology collections have recently received national Designation status. The Norman Cross Gallery tells the story of a Napoleonic prisoner-of-war camp founded in 1796, including bone models, automata and straw marquetry made by the prisoners. A Victorian operating theatre survives from the infirmary years, and the Art Gallery and Community Gallery host changing exhibitions.

Highlights

• Jurassic marine reptiles including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs
• Norman Cross Gallery on a Napoleonic prisoner-of-war camp and the objects the prisoners made
• Victorian operating theatre
• Archaeology Gallery with about 500 local finds from prehistory to the medieval period
• Must Farm Bronze Age settlement displays
• Free entry in a Georgian mansion with cellars to explore on tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Jurassic Gallery – Marine reptiles from the Jurassic period found around Peterborough, including ichthyosaurs, pliosaurs and plesiosaurs.
• Archaeology Gallery – About 500 finds, mostly from local excavations, showing daily life from prehistory to the medieval period.
• Norman Cross Gallery – The story of the Napoleonic prisoner-of-war camp at Norman Cross, with bone models, automata and straw marquetry made by prisoners.

Founded

1939

Operated by

Peterborough Limited

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free except on special event days and for paid exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance has steps, but step-free access is to the right of the entrance and through the signposted staff car park. Lifts serve all floors except the Victorian Operating Theatre and the Vaults. Accessible toilets are on the ground and first floors. One on-site disabled parking bay is reached via Priestgate, to the right of the entrance. The museum has automatic doors, a low reception desk and a Visual Story photo guide, and one adult wheelchair is available (booking is advised). Printed guides for the permanent galleries come in Braille and in 14pt, 18pt and 24pt large print. Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas, with water bowls at reception. The Howe Room used for hire has a hearing loop. The step-free route from the railway station is about 550 metres with three road crossings. The museum also runs sensory-friendly sessions for one of its exhibitions.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Regular family events include Tiny Tots, LEGO build sessions and school-holiday programmes such as Halloween events. Sensory-friendly sessions are held for one of the exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

Pedestrian access is from Cowgate, Cross Street, Trinity Street, Bridge Street and Bouges Boulevard. Bike racks are to the right of the entrance. School coaches can stop in front of the museum for drop-off and pick-up.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Squire’s Coffee House is on the ground floor. The gift shop validates Queensgate parking tickets. Public Wi-Fi is available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Rooms include the Howe Room (up to 75, with a hearing loop), the Art Gallery (up to 80), Squires Coffee House (up to 20) and Squires Parlour (up to 12). On-site catering is available; rates exclude VAT.

Plan your visit