Peterborough is a cathedral city and Unitary Authority in the East of England. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Peterborough Town Hall is located 73.7 miles (118.6 km) north from the centre of London at Charing Cross. The city is situated on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea approximately 30 miles to the north-east. The local topography is notoriously flat and low-lying, and in some places lies below sea-level. The area known as the Fens falls to the east of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough includes the outlying settlements of Wittering and Thorney and borders Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire. In 2005 the City of Peterborough had an estimated population of 165,000.The nearby suburb of Old Fletton is noted for brickmaking.

The Benedictine abbey was founded c.655. In 870 it was destroyed by the Danes, in the 10th cent. it was restored, in the 11th plundered, and in 1116 burned. The impressive cathedral, formerly the abbey church, has three large arches in the west front. It was damaged by Oliver Cromwell’s men in 1643. Noteworthy are the bishop’s palace and the remains of the ancient abbey buildings and gates. Queen Katharine of Aragon is buried there. The original name of the town was Medeshamstede.