Barry PhilipsPeterborough in Cambridgeshire, England, is a city with deep historical roots, industrial heritage, and modern redevelopment. But hidden within its evolving landscape are forgotten structures—abandoned hospitals, derelict factories, unused transport sites, and decaying historic buildings.
These abandoned places reveal the city’s transformation over time and attract curiosity from history lovers and urban explorers alike.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the Top 40 Abandoned Places in Peterborough.
Top 40 Abandoned Places In Peterborough
1. Peterborough District Hospital
The former Peterborough District Hospital was once a major healthcare centre serving the city for decades. After its closure in 2010, large portions of the site were left unused and later partially demolished.
Before redevelopment began, the site contained empty wards, long corridors, and abandoned medical equipment. It became one of the most recognisable symbols of Peterborough’s transition from old public infrastructure to modern healthcare systems.
2. RAF Upwood (Near Peterborough)
RAF Upwood, located near Peterborough, is a former military airbase with origins dating back to World War I. It was heavily used during World War II and the Cold War before being decommissioned in the 1990s.
Today, the site contains decaying barracks, empty hangars, and overgrown runways. Its large-scale abandonment reflects Britain’s post-Cold War military restructuring.
3. St. Peter’s Church, Chesterton
This medieval church, dating back to the 13th century, stands partially abandoned on the outskirts of Peterborough. While the structure still exists, parts of it are no longer maintained and are affected by weathering and decay.
The surrounding graveyard and isolated setting give it a quiet, eerie atmosphere, making it one of the most atmospheric historical ruins near the city.
4. Great Northern Hotel (Unused Sections)
The Great Northern Hotel, built in the 1850s, once served railway passengers during the height of Britain’s rail expansion.
While still partially in use, sections of the building have been left unused for years. These abandoned areas feature old Victorian architecture, empty rooms, and faded interiors that reflect its historic past.
5. Fletton Brickworks Remnants
Peterborough was once a major brick manufacturing hub, and Fletton Brickworks played a central role in that industrial growth.
Although most of the factory has been demolished, remnants such as kilns, foundations, and industrial debris still exist in neglected areas. These remains highlight the city’s industrial heritage and economic evolution.
6. Old Industrial Complex Sites
Across Peterborough, several former industrial complexes now stand abandoned or partially demolished. These include warehouses, workshops, and manufacturing buildings that once supported local industry.
Today, many of these sites are empty shells with broken structures, rusting machinery, and overgrown surroundings, symbolising the decline of traditional manufacturing.
7. Abandoned Medical Centre Wings
Some healthcare facilities in and around Peterborough have partially abandoned sections due to upgrades and relocation of services.
These unused wings often contain stripped rooms, outdated equipment, and sealed corridors, offering a glimpse into older medical infrastructure no longer in use.
8. Sages Water Tower (Walton)
The Sages Water Tower is a historic Victorian structure located in Walton, Peterborough. Built in the early 20th century, it once played an important role in the city’s water supply system.
Now largely abandoned and deteriorating, the tower has raised safety concerns due to its structural condition and lack of maintenance. It remains a striking but decaying landmark.
9. Sessions House (Former Courthouse)
Sessions House, built in 1842, served as a courthouse for many years in Peterborough’s judicial system.
Although it remains a protected historic building, it is no longer actively used for court proceedings. The building stands as a preserved yet largely unused piece of civic history.
10. Abandoned Railway Sidings and Rail Infrastructure
Peterborough’s history as a railway hub has left behind numerous abandoned sidings, unused rail tracks, and disused loading areas.
These overgrown and rusting rail sections once played a vital role in freight and passenger transport but now stand silent, reflecting the evolution of modern transport systems.
Comprehensive List
| # | Location | Type | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peterborough District Hospital | Healthcare | Mostly demolished, remaining redeveloped sections |
| 2 | RAF Upwood (near Peterborough) | Military | Abandoned former airbase |
| 3 | St. Peter’s Church, Chesterton | Religious | Partially abandoned medieval structure |
| 4 | Great Northern Hotel (unused sections) | Hospitality | Partially vacant Victorian building |
| 5 | Fletton Brickworks remnants | Industrial | Ruins and leftover structures |
| 6 | Old Industrial Complex sites | Manufacturing | Abandoned warehouses and workshops |
| 7 | Medical Centre unused wings | Healthcare | Partially closed sections |
| 8 | Sages Water Tower (Walton) | Infrastructure | Abandoned and deteriorating |
| 9 | Sessions House | Judicial | Vacant historic courthouse |
| 10 | Railway sidings & freight yards | Transport | Disused, overgrown rail infrastructure |
| 11 | Former Perkins Engines storage buildings | Industrial | Partially unused older units |
| 12 | Abandoned warehouse estate (Maskew Ave area) | Commercial | Vacant logistics units |
| 13 | Old British Rail maintenance sheds | Transport | Disused railway maintenance facilities |
| 14 | Former council depot sites | Civic | Some derelict municipal buildings |
| 15 | Disused school building (Eastfield area) | Education | Closed educational facility |
| 16 | Old Bretton industrial units | Industrial | Vacant small factories |
| 17 | Former cinema site (city centre) | Entertainment | Demolished/abandoned footprint |
| 18 | Old Peterborough pub buildings | Hospitality | Several closed and boarded pubs |
| 19 | Disused retail warehouse units | Commercial | Empty retail storage spaces |
| 20 | Abandoned farm structures (outskirts) | Agricultural | Dilapidated barns and sheds |
| 21 | Former Westwood estate empty blocks | Residential | Some boarded-up housing units |
| 22 | Orton abandoned service buildings | Civic | Vacant utility structures |
| 23 | Old fire service training site | Emergency services | Disused training grounds |
| 24 | Former police outbuildings | Civic | Some unused support facilities |
| 25 | Disused petrol station sites | Commercial | Abandoned forecourt locations |
| 26 | Old textile workshop units | Industrial | Closed small manufacturing spaces |
| 27 | Former food processing factory | Industrial | Vacant production facility |
| 28 | Abandoned grain storage silos | Agricultural | Rusting storage infrastructure |
| 29 | Old canal-side warehouses | Transport/Industrial | Derelict storage buildings |
| 30 | Disused scrap yard zones | Industrial | Partially abandoned yards |
| 31 | Former student housing blocks | Residential | Empty or condemned accommodation |
| 32 | Old shopping arcade units | Commercial | Vacant retail passageways |
| 33 | Disused bus depot facilities | Transport | Abandoned service depot |
| 34 | Former telephone exchange building | Infrastructure | Partially unused telecom facility |
| 35 | Old postal sorting annex | Civic | Vacant mail processing building |
| 36 | Abandoned leisure centre wing | Recreation | Closed swimming/leisure sections |
| 37 | Former sports pavilion buildings | Recreation | Disused sports facilities |
| 38 | Old hotel annex buildings | Hospitality | Closed accommodation wings |
| 39 | Abandoned construction compounds | Industrial | Leftover site offices and yards |
| 40 | Disused drainage and pumping stations | Utilities | Small abandoned infrastructure sites |
Comparison Table: Abandoned Places in Peterborough
| Location | Type | Historical Era | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peterborough District Hospital | Healthcare | 20th century | Partially demolished / redeveloped |
| RAF Upwood | Military | WWI–Cold War | Abandoned |
| St. Peter’s Church | Religious | 13th century | Partially abandoned |
| Great Northern Hotel (sections) | Hospitality | 1850s | Partially unused |
| Fletton Brickworks | Industrial | 19th–20th century | Ruins/remnants |
| Old Industrial Complexes | Manufacturing | 20th century | Abandoned |
| Medical Centre Wings | Healthcare | Modern era | Partially unused |
| Sages Water Tower | Infrastructure | Early 1900s | Abandoned |
| Sessions House | Judicial | 1840s | Vacant heritage building |
| Railway Sidings | Transport | 19th–20th century | Disused |
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Conclusion
The abandoned places in Peterborough reflect the city’s long journey through industrial expansion, wartime activity, and modern redevelopment. From old hospitals and military bases to forgotten factories and railway infrastructure, each site tells a story of change.
While many of these locations are no longer accessible or have been partially redeveloped, they remain important historical markers. Together, they illustrate how Peterborough has evolved from an industrial and transport hub into a modern urban centre.
These forgotten spaces continue to spark interest among historians, photographers, and urban explorers, preserving the memory of a city constantly in transition.