Flag Fen Archaeology Park

Flag Fen Archaeology Park is a Bronze Age site located in Peterborough and is one of Europe’s most important sites due to the Bronze Age “treasures” being found in remarkable condition. The “treasures” I am referring to include: the ancient wooden causeway that stretches across the Fens, the oldest wheel in England and the Roman road.

The wooden causeway that is over 3000 years old is Europe’s only Bronze Age timbers on display and has been preserved in its original location just as it was found. In the Preservation Hall part of the wooden causeway remains in its original position and has been preserved “in-situ”. By misting the area with water the wooden causeway is prevented from drying out thus ensuring this “treasure” will be around for generations to come.

Wooden Causeway 

The causeway is an amazing feat of Bronze Age engineering that was brought about by the water level rising. A causeway and platform was built that stretched for a mile over the rising waters. This allowed the Bronze Age people to move across the Fens (between Peterborough and Whittlesey Island) / meet others and to perform ceremonial rituals.

The museum at Flag Fen contains many artefacts that include the oldest wheel ever found in England, a rare gold ring (one of only two in the world from this period of history), Bronze Age swords and a rare collection of tools used by metal workers. There is something for “kids” of all ages to enjoy with the hands-on activities.

Flag Fen Archaeology Park has been landscaped with trees and shrubs that would have been growing locally in the Bronze Age era. There are also animals – Soay sheep and pigs - name unknown. The Soay would have been the type of sheep kept by people in the period between 2000 BC and 600 BC. The Soay is of great archaeological interest as their bones have been found at Flag Fen. The pigs are cross breeds between a wild boar and a Tamworth breed and are similar to what would have been in the area during the Bronze Age. 

The park also includes reconstructions of Bronze Age and Iron Age round houses which are user friendly as you can go inside the round houses and see how they were built and how people lived in the Bronze and Iron Ages / there are remains of a Roman road and a great herb garden.

Bronze Age Roundhouse 

This is an interesting and educational place to take students to for a half day visit :D

Written by: Andria Owen

Burghley House - Stamford

One of the trips made this year with our students was to Burghley House - known as "England's Greatest Elizabethan House". Burghley House is located in Stamford which is approximately 15 miles from Peterborough. The easiest way to get to Burghley House is by car - there is a train station in Stamford however, unless you like walking, you will still need to get a taxi from the railway station to the House.

Burghley House was built between 1555 & 1587 by William Cecil - who was the Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I. You will hear all about the history of the House and the family in the old "Brewhouse" which has been transformed into a modern visitors centre. It is here that you can see "Ancestors in the Attic" - an audio / visual presentation which is a great introduction to the background history of the House and family.

The first room of the House entered is the kitchen and, wow, what a kitchen! The size of the pots and pans always amazed me as a child and still do and I think the students were stunned when they first saw the kitchen :D

In total there are eighteen State Rooms to view and in each room you will find very knowledgeable and friendly "room guides" who were more than happy to answer any questions asked of them.

Neptune's Grotto

After looking around the State Rooms there is more to see outside. Firstly there is The Garden of Surprises - this is an oasis of flowing water and fountains / ponds and curtains of water. When we went into the GoS the students seemed a little wary of what they should do - so being a little crazy - I handed my bag over and quickly walked through a "curtain of water". After the students finally stopped laughing we were all acting a little crazy and ended up quite wet by the time we left :D There are lots of interesting things to look at and even more interactive things to do and on a hot day this is a fantastic way of cooling down!! And children of all ages - young and those of us who are not so young love the garden!

Vertical Face - Rick Kirby

Burghley House also has a Sculpture Garden, which houses a permanent collection of over 20 sculptures, covering thirteen acres. This landscaped garden is an ideal place for a picnic or just take your time walking around and looking at the contemporary sculptures on show and should you get tired there are benches dotted around for you to rest awhile until you are ready to move on again.






Burghley House has a deer park and on my last visit 

we spotted a stag eating grass close to the House - it gave all of us the opportunity to get up quite close and take photo's. The students thought this was great and were suitably impressed that they could do this and yes lots of pictures were taken!



You will find places to eat - the Orangery Restaurant and the Garden Café  -there is also a gift shop and garden shop, so whether you are looking for a gift or plant for yourself or someone else, you will find it here.  

If you want further information ie: opening times / prices / etc the website is: http://www.burghley.co.uk/

Written by: Andria Owen