Longthorpe Tower — Medieval Art in Peterborough

A Hidden Gem of Medieval England

Standing quietly on the edge of Peterborough, Longthorpe Tower offers one of the most complete glimpses of medieval domestic art in Britain.
Built around 1300 by the Thorpe family, it formed part of a fortified manor house.
Inside, its walls burst with vivid 14th-century frescoes — saints, scholars, beasts, and stars that once coloured everyday noble life.

Today, this small tower holds a world of imagination within its stone walls.

A Home, a Stronghold, and a Gallery

The tower was added to an earlier manor to provide defence, storage, and prestige.
However, it was the paintings, created about 1320, that made it truly exceptional.
They reveal the interests of a wealthy, educated landowner — combining religious devotion, natural science, and morality in a single visual programme.

Therefore, Longthorpe stands not only as architecture but also as a medieval book painted on plaster.

Exploring Longthorpe Tower
1. The Wall Paintings

Step inside the great chamber, where the entire upper floor glows with 700-year-old colour.
You’ll see the Wheel of the Five Senses, the Labours of the Months, saints, animals, and symbolic creatures.
In addition, guides help interpret each image, revealing how art once taught faith and knowledge to viewers.

2. Architecture and Design

The tower’s three storeys include storage below, a guard room in the middle, and the painted chamber above.
Arrow loops, fireplaces, and stone vaulting remind you this was both home and fortress.

3. Interpretation and Displays

English Heritage has installed lighting and displays explaining medieval pigments and plaster techniques.
Furthermore, replica sketches let visitors see how artists planned these remarkable murals.

Learn more at the English Heritage website

A Survivor Through Centuries

After the medieval period, the manor declined, but the tower remained largely untouched.
Its paintings were rediscovered in 1946, astonishing historians with their freshness and complexity.
As a result, Longthorpe became a Scheduled Ancient Monument, carefully conserved so future generations could step into the colours of the Middle Ages.

Visiting Longthorpe Tower
How to Get There

Address: Longthorpe Tower, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6LU

By Car: Just off A1179; free on-street parking nearby

By Train: Peterborough Station ≈ 2 miles

By Bus: Regular services along Thorpe Road

Opening Hours & Admission

Weekends (March – October); check website for tours

Entry fee applies; free for English Heritage members

Facilities

Guided tours and gift shop

Leaflets and interpretation panels

Limited access — stairs to upper rooms

Nearby Attractions

Peterborough Cathedral — Magnificent Norman Gothic church

Flag Fen Archaeology Park — Bronze Age causeway and museum

Elton Hall — Historic family mansion with art collections

Fotheringhay Castle Site — Birthplace of Richard III

Together, they form the Peterborough Heritage Trail.

Why Visit Longthorpe Tower?

The Longthorpe Tower experience offers:

Unrivalled medieval wall paintings

Insight into 14th-century life and learning

Intimate historic setting

Guided access and expert interpretation

Whether you love art, architecture, or local history, this tower reveals how creativity flourished behind castle walls.
It’s not just a relic — it’s a masterpiece painted in stone and time.