About 75 miles north of London in Cambridgeshire, the cathedral city of Peterborough is currently undergoing major regeneration and has been experiencing an economic boom compared to the rest of the country. For commuters, it’s just a 45- to 60-minute train journey into central London, while there are also rail services and road links to many other destinations across the country.
Peterborough cathedral
The city leads the UK’s business population growth, with a particularly strong economy in the environmental and services sector, and has become the most successful economy among unitary authorities in the East of England.
Peterborough is also one of the most affordable locations in the South and East, which attracts many people to live in the city. Rental properties range from city centre flats and apartments to terraced housing, semis and detached houses in the suburbs and surrounding towns, offering something for most budgets and lifestyles.
Peterborough city centre (PE2) – lively and convenient urban living
In central Peterborough, rental accommodation is often reasonably priced and includes affordable flats, more expensive contemporary apartments, terraced family homes, semis, bungalows, new-build properties and larger detached Victorian houses. There’s plenty to do in the city for both young professionals and families, from shopping and eating out to ice-skating, bowling and other sporting activities. And with Peterborough aiming to become the UK’s ‘environment capital’, there are lots of projects designed to promote healthier and sustainable living in the city centre, further adding to its appeal as a place to live.
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Hampton (PE7) – new and expanding area with affordable family housing
For those who would rather live in a new community, Hampton – made up of two sub-areas called Hampton Hargate and Hampton Vale – is a new part of the city which has witnessed rapid expansion over recent years. There is a good choice of reasonably priced housing, too – ranging from small, modern starter homes to large five- and even six-bedroom detached homes. Situated just a couple of miles from the city centre, Hampton is home to plenty of local amenities including new primary schools, play areas, a business park, and a large out-of-town shopping centre called Serpentine Green. For secondary education there’s the excellent Hampton College. Since the area has specifically been developed as a predominantly residential area, there is a plentiful supply of relatively new homes there, and rental prices tend to be relatively cheap.
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Longthorpe (PE3) – pretty village setting in the city
Less than three miles west of the city centre, the historic village of Longthorpe is home to many listed buildings and structures, including the old Manor House and the Holy (or St. Cloud’s) Well. It is a pleasant place to live, neighbouring the Thorpe Wood nature reserve, and has its own primary school – while secondary pupils attend a nearby school in Netherton.
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Orton Waterville (PE2) – sought-after area with a village atmosphere
Just three miles or a ten-minute drive from central Peterborough, Orton Waterville is part of the wider Orton area, and is an attractive place to live with a village atmosphere and pretty thatched and stone-built cottages. It is also home to a wider range of rental properties than you might expect, with some good three- and four-bedroom detached options for families, and smaller one- and two-bedroom cottages and modern houses also coming up for rent from time to time. Considering the sought-after location, rental prices tend to be relatively reasonable, and it’s ideal for those who would rather live somewhere quiet, away from the centre, but within easy striking distance.
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Werrington (PE4) – family-friendly living on the edge of the city
On the northern edge of Peterborough, Werrington was once a village but has gradually been engulfed by the city. Today it is split into the old village, focused around the village green, and new Werrington, focused around the small Werrington Centre shopping complex. The new area is still expanding, and offers a good range of modern housing, two primary schools, and a secondary school, while the old village is home to a primary school. Prices tend to be around average for Peterborough, with plenty of quieter cul-de-sac locations in the modern areas, and quaint village locations in the old part. The city centre is less than four miles away.
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Oundle (PE8) – an attractive market town location with good schools
A little further outside of Peterborough, but still within a 15-mile radius of the city, picturesque Oundle is an ancient, traditional market town with great schools, a lively cultural scene, and regular markets. It is widely considered a great place to live and bring up children, with majestic medieval, Elizabethan and Stuart buildings, surrounded by pleasant countryside and pretty villages – although rental prices tend to be a bit more expensive than they are in many areas within Peterborough itself.
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Stamford (PE9) – historic, family-friendly setting with handy rail links
Medieval Stamford in Lincolnshire is about 14 miles north of Peterborough city centre and about 100 miles north of London. While the historic conservation area at Stamford’s core is home to lots of characterful 17th–18th century stone buildings and older timber-framed buildings, the rest of the town offers a good mix of rental properties at around- to above-average prices. Well-known for its superb range of shops, lively arts scene, and sports clubs, the town is also home to numerous businesses and is close to RAF Wittering. There are several primary schools and one secondary school in Stamford, and additional options in nearby towns. Stamford railway station offers direct services to Leicester, Birmingham and Stansted Airport (via Cambridge) on the Birmingham to Peterborough Line.
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by Rebecca Burns