Longthorpe Tower

Longthorpe Tower is a fortified 14th-century tower on the western side of Peterborough, best known for its medieval wall paintings. The exterior is plain enough that the interior comes as a surprise: this is one of the most important domestic painting schemes surviving in England.

Opening can be seasonal or limited, so check before travelling across town. If it is open, make the effort; Longthorpe adds a refined medieval counterpoint to the cathedral's public grandeur.

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A story
Longthorpe Tower is famous for its 14th-century wall paintings, a rare survival of secular medieval decoration. They show religious, moral, and everyday themes together, which makes the room feel less like a chapel and more like a glimpse into the imagination of a wealthy medieval household.