Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

The red-brick Victorian church on the eastern edge of Peterborough takes you straight back to the 19th century. Our Lady of Lourdes is a proper working Catholic parish church, which means you'll want to check service times before visiting - popping in mid-mass might feel awkward if you're just sightseeing.

What draws people here is the architecture itself. The building's got that solid, no-nonsense character you find in mid-19th-century religious structures - honest materials, confident proportions, nothing showy. Inside there's some decent stained glass and the usual Catholic furnishings, though it's not a cathedral-scale experience. Most visitors spend 20 to 30 minutes looking round, longer if you're genuinely interested in Victorian ecclesiastical design.

It's really for the architecture enthusiasts and those with a faith connection rather than casual holiday crowds. Kids might get restless unless they're properly into churches. That said, if you're camped at Ferry Meadows or Nene Outdoors - both just under 4 miles away - and you're exploring Peterborough's religious heritage, it's worth a detour. The town itself has the Cathedral if you want something more grand and touristy.

Admission should be free like most working parishes, but ring ahead to confirm opening hours and whether there are any special services on. It's the kind of place that rewards a quiet morning visit rather than a rushed afternoon stop.