The city centre has been undergoing a billion-pound regeneration project, so things are looking good in this charming Cambridgeshire city. Come see for yourself ...

Culture-rich Peterborough is rich in culture from the magnificent cathedral where Katherine of Aragon was buried to the annual beer festival on the riverside every August, Peterborough has something for everyone. Even James Bond – scenes from GoldenEye and Octopussy were shot here. It isn't just films though, there is an incredibly lively arts scene as well, as the Key Theatre, The Cresset, The Broadway and the Embassy Theatre deliver wide range of music, drama and comedy to suit all tastes.

Peterborough is so flat it’s perfect for cycling, or watch the rowing regattas down at Thorpe Meadows. Peterborough is a hugely diverse and cosmopolitan city and its population gives rise to some fabulous global cuisine here: Italian, Chinese, Nepalese, Indian, Thai, Polish, Japanese and Mexican are yours, on a plate.

City living:
Sand-coloured cottages are typical of Peterborough, though there are plenty of new developments around too. The city council’s expansion plan involves building 22,000 new homes by 2020. Hampton, Stanground and Paston are areas to watch.

Beyond Peterborough:
Follow the steam trains of the seven-mile Nene Valley Heritage Railway to find attractive towns and villages outside the city. Orton Mere, Ferry Meadows and Wansford will give you a pleasant taste of rural living. For those who want to a breath of country air at the weekend, head for the Fens, leafy Southey Wood and Nene Park with its three lakes