ALL the sights and sounds of the golden age
of steam trains come to life at the Nene Valley
Railway -- plus the chance to travel behind
heritage diesel locomotives too!
The seven-and-a-half mile long line follows
the River Nene as it meanders from Wansford
to Peterborough, passing through the heart of
the beautiful Nene Country Park -- an outdoor
activity haven for children and adults alike.
There are further stations at Ferry
Meadows, Orton Mere, and Yarwell Junction.
The Nene Valley Railway has one of the
most varied collections of locomotives and
rolling stock in the UK, if not the world.
Examples come from Britain, France,
Belgium, Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark,
Sweden and Norway.
A number of driving experience packages
are available to anyone who wants to enjoy
the unique sensation of driving a full-sized
steam locomotive.
And since 1978, well over 150 films, com-
mercials and episodes for TV have been made
with scenes shot at the Nene Valley Railway.
The Nene Valley Railway is also the home of
`Thomas' -- the children's favourite engine!
`Thomas' is out and about at most Bank
Holidays and has his very own special events
throughout the year.
Indeed, there is an extensive programme of
other special events for the whole family, and
Santa Specials near Christmas.
Call the Railway Office on 01780 784444 for
details.
THE East of England Show, organised by the
East of England Agricultural Society, is the
region's leading farming and countryside
show.
The show, on June 19, 20 and 21 at
Alwalton, near Peterborough, features some
of the best of British livestock as well as hors-
es from Shetlands to Shires.
There is something for all the family to
enjoy, including displays of country sports,
crafts and activities. There are also displays
of farming nostalgia, with working steam and
vintage farm machinery displays.
There will be plenty of activities for children
and lots of opportunities to find out more
about food and farming.
The show also features a huge range of
trade stands, plus crafts and a food hall with
plenty of mouth-watering temptations.
HIDDEN deep in the heart of the countryside
nestles an 18th Century mill and country farm
where the treasures of farming and country life lie
waiting to be discovered.
Whether you're visiting for the day or staying
on the attractive campsite there is fun for all the
family at Sacrewell Farm.
Meet Bonnie at the Shire Horse Centre, jump
on the tractor and enjoy a trip around the farm or
perhaps go back in time by exploring the work-
ing 18th Century Watermill.
While Wellington boots are not a must, spa-
cious green pastures, lakes and paddocks
enable children to stick on their wellies and roam
about, and with wonderful views, there are many
great spots to spread out a blanket and tuck into
a picnic.
The home-cooked food in the Stables
Restaurant will satisfy a host of hunger needs
from a big, beefy sandwich, or a children's nose-
bag to a hearty Sunday roast dinner.
Sacrewell's Three Little Ducks shop is a
superb place to pick up a souvenir, a unique gift
or a pack of locally produced wild boar sausages
for tea!
BURGHLEY HOUSE, home of the Cecil family for
more than 400 years, is the largest and grandest
house of the first Elizabethan Age.
Built and mostly designed by William Cecil,
Lord High Treasurer of England between 1565
and 1587, the house is a family home for his
descendants today.
Near to Stamford and easily accessed from
the A1, it is also not far from Peterborough.
Eighteen state rooms, including many decorat-
ed by Antonio Verrio in the 17th century, house a
huge collection of great works of art, including
one of the most important private collections of
17th century Italian paintings, the earliest inven-
toried collection of Japanese ceramics in the
Western world, rare examples of European
porcelain, and wood carvings by Grinling
Gibbons and his followers.
There are also four magnificent state beds, fine
examples of English and continental furniture and
important tapestries and textiles.
Capability Brown was employed by the 9th
earl to landscape the park. He also constructed
the 22-acre lake and, in 1775, the Lion Bridge.
The orangery was also designed and built by
Capability Brown and is now a licensed restau-
rant. The deer park extends to 160 acres.
HORSE TRIALS
Burghley is well-known as the venue for the
famous Burghley Horse Trials, a major annual
FLAG FEN Archaeology Park is home to a
unique ancient wooden monument.
A kilometre-long wooden causeway and
platform are perfectly preserved in the wet-
land.
3500 years ago this was built and used by
the Celtic fen people as a place of worship
and ritual. 60,000 upright timbers and 250,000
horizontal planks are buried under the ground,
along with many swords and personal items
given as offerings to the watery fen.
Visit Flag Fen, on the outskirts of
Peterborough, and you can see an uncovered
section of the ritual causeway and the treas-
ure it holds, explore a reconstructed village
from the Bronze Age, and discover what life
was like 3500 years ago.
On the 20-acre site you can explore history
and nature, with reconstructive archaeology
and recreated habitats for rare plants such as
Fen Ragwort.
You can marvel at the oldest wheel in
England, the earliest Celtic art and the bronze
swords and tools of our ancestors, and exper-
iment with have-a-go activities from ancient
times.
The tranquillity and diversity of the park can
be experienced with a lakeside walk and an
abundance of wildlife including over 50
species of birds and dragonflies.
To find out more about special events at
Flag Fen throughout the year, see the website
at www.flagfen.org
THE historic cottage at Helpston, near
Peterborough, where the poet John Clare was
born, lived and worked is scheduled to open on
July 13.
The cottage was purchased in 2006 by the
John Clare Education and Environment Trust,
and the aim, in close partnership with the John
Clare Society, is to establish an international
environmental education centre of excellence,
writers' retreat and seminar/reception venue.
It is hoped the cottage will become a major
resource for all those interested in the literary,
social, natural and cultural history of Britain in the
early 19th century.
Further information at www.johnclaretrust.org
TAKE your pick from the his-
toric pleasures of yesteryear or
the modern delights of top-
class shopping, which sit com-
fortably side-by-side in the
centre of Peterborough.
Queensgate, the award-win-
ning covered shopping centre,
will no doubt take the fancy of
the ardent shopper, but only
yards away, you can journey
back down the centuries when
you enter the peace and soli-
tude offered within the grounds
of the magnificent Norman
cathedral.
Mary Queen of Scots,
beheaded at nearby
Fotheringhay, was initially laid
to rest in the cathedral, while
Katherine of Aragon's body
remains entombed to this day.
The railways played a promi-
nent part in the industrial histo-
ry of Peterborough and the city
has excellent rail links today,
being on the main high-speed
north-south London-Edinburgh
line, as well as providing routes
east and west.
The main station is linked to
Queensgate by a walk-way.
And echoes of the area's rail
Tourist Information
Peterborough Tourist Information Centre:
3-5 Minster Precincts, Peterborough; tele-
phone 01733 452336/452404.
Website
Visit the Evening Telegraph website at
www.peterborougheveningtelegraph.co.uk
Major show
Clare cottage
set to open
Steam down
the valley
occasion on the equine calendar. This year the
trials take place from Thursday, September 3, to
Sunday, September 6.
GRAND ELIZABETHAN HOUSE
Roam around
the farm
Journey back to
the Bronze Age
heritage can be found
on the Nene Valley
Railway which passes
through nearby Ferry
Meadows, a 500-acre
country park, on its
way from Wansford
into the city, where its
terminal is next to the
Railworld exhibition --
ten minutes walk from
the cathedral and the
city museum.
The River Nene
flows through the city
centre, with the Key
Theatre situated on its
embankment.
SPORT
Elsewhere you can
find ten pin bowling,
swimming, tennis, fit-
ness centres, a multi-
screen cinema, grey-
hound stadium, ice
skating and ice hock-
ey, children's indoor
activity centres and
professional football --
the Posh are in the
Nationwide League
and play at London
Road, which is also
conveniently-close to
the city centre.
Peterborough
Panthers speedway
team, based at the
East of England
Showground at
Alwalton on the west-
ern side of the city,
also bring top-class
action to the area
throughout the sum-
mer months.
From shopping to history
Experience steam travel on the Nene Valley Railway.

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