Longthorpe Tower

About

Longthorpe Tower, on the western edge of Peterborough, was built by the lawyer Robert Thorpe between about 1290 and 1300. Around 1330 its main first-floor room was painted with one of the most complete sets of 14th-century domestic wall paintings in northern Europe, a 'spiritual encyclopaedia' of worldly and religious scenes including the Wheel of Life, the Nativity and King David. Look for kings, musicians, saints and animals, among them a mythological beast armed with flaming excrement. A small hands-on exhibition tells the story of the tower and the family who built it, and children can try on medieval costumes and helmets. Reviewers single out the knowledgeable volunteer guides who explain the paintings. The tower is run by Nene Park Trust for English Heritage and opens for pre-booked guided tours, which members must book too. Entry is by steps only, with steep stairs inside, and free parking is shared with St Botolph's Church nearby.

Historic SiteParkingShopToiletsGuided tours

Check today’s timesFrom English Heritage's calendar

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From English Heritage's published calendar, updated 1 October 2026, with dates up to 16 March 2027. Prices are without the optional donation.

PricingFree with English Heritage membershipEH memberFree entryNon-member£6.30

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult£6.30

Child (5-17)£3.60

Concession£5.70

Family (2 adults and up to 3 children)£16.20

Family (1 adult and up to 3 children)£9.90

Pricing details

Catalogue walk-up price without voluntary donation (the catalogue lists only a peak band; with Gift Aid donation adult 7.00). Booking is essential for everyone, including members. Nene Park Trust's own page lists lower prices (adult 5, child under 16 3, concession 4); confirm when booking. A premium applies to all visitors, including members, on special event days.

ParkingFree parkingFree for all visitors

No charge for anyone.

Parking details

Free parking for approximately 20 cars in Woburn Close, 100 metres east of the tower, shared with the church; some on-street parking nearby. No coach or minibus parking.

Driving arrival: Woburn Close parking by St Botolph's Church, the EH sat nav point.

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Nearby

Priest's House, Easton on the Hill

10.3 mi

Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse

11.4 mi

Lyveden

13.7 mi

Opening times may change at short notice.

Open for pre-booked one-hour guided tours on most Saturdays and Sundays from 28 March to 1 November 2026, 10am to 4.30pm, last admission 3.30pm. Private midweek group tours can be arranged with Nene Park Trust.

Managed by Nene Park Trust on behalf of English Heritage; book through Nene Park Trust. Booking is essential for everyone, including English Heritage members.

Standard admission is free for English Heritage members. National Trust membership alone does not grant free entry. A premium applies to all visitors, including members, on special event days.

Accessibility: not accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs; the entrance is at first-floor level up a flight of steps, with steep, narrow stone steps to the second floor. Disabled visitors can be dropped at the gate.

Parking: free, about 20 spaces in Woburn Close shared with St Botolph's Church.

Photo: Michael Dibb. CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Longthorpe_Tower_(3)_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7124985.jpg. Resized for display.