Key Theatre

The Key Theatre sits in central Peterborough, a proper working theatre that punches above its weight for a city of this size. It's the sort of place where you'll catch everything from touring drama to comedy nights, musicals to local amateur productions - the programming is genuinely varied and often excellent. The venue itself is modern and welcoming, not some stuffy regional theatre but somewhere that feels alive and engaged with what audiences actually want to see.

Theatre-goers will find it well-run and easy to navigate, with decent sightlines and responsive staff. It's not massive, which means there's an intimacy to performances here that you'd lose in a bigger house. The bar does a reasonable job, though it gets rammed when there's a full house.

If you're staying at Ferry Meadows or Nene Outdoors - both within easy reach - an evening show makes for a genuine night out rather than just something to fill time. Check their website for what's on before you book your holiday, because the programme dictates whether this works for you. A family might struggle if it's all avant-garde theatre, but catch the right musical or family show and you've got a brilliant addition to your break. Allow about three hours for the full experience, including a drink beforehand. Entry costs vary wildly depending on what's showing, but expect to pay proper theatre prices - nothing shocking, just normal.