{{Short description|Municipal building in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox historic site | name =Peterborough Guildhall | native_name = | image =The Guildhall, Peterborough - geograph.org.uk - 468371.jpg | caption =Peterborough Guildhall | locmapin =Cambridgeshire | map_caption =Shown in Cambridgeshire | coordinates = {{coord |52.5726|N|0.2431|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | location =Cathedral Square, Peterborough | area = | built =1671 | architect = John Lovin | architecture =Classical style | governing_body = | website= | designation1 =Grade II* Listed Building | designation1_offname = | designation1_date =7 February 1952 | designation1_number =1126990 }} '''The Guildhall''' is a municipal building in Cathedral Square, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. It is a Grade II* listed building.<ref name=nhle>{{NHLE|desc=Old Guild Hall, City of Peterborough|num=1126990|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref>
==History== The current structure replaced a medieval guildhall which was situated on the northern side of Cathedral Square.<ref name=pa>{{cite web|url=https://peterborougharchaeology.org/history-archaeology-peterborough-cathedral-square/|title=The History and Archaeology of Peterborough Cathedral Square|publisher=Fane Road Archaeology Group|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref> The local people decided to erect a new structure to commemorate the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.<ref name=pa/> The site selected for the new building had previously been occupied by the "Butter Cross" or dairy market.<ref name=time>{{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/opinion/its-time-act-peterboroughs-guildhall-952994|title=It's time to act on Peterborough's Guildhall|publisher=Peterborough Today|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref>
The current building, which was designed by John Lovin who had also been the architect for the restoration work on the Bishop's Palace in Peterborough, was completed in 1671.<ref name=nhle/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ourjourneypeterborough.org/story/the-guildhall-completed|title=The Guildhall completed|publisher=Our Journey: Peterborough|accessdate=7 August 2020|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511045148/https://ourjourneypeterborough.org/story/the-guildhall-completed|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was designed in the Classical style with arcading on the ground floor to allow markets to be held; an assembly room with mullion windows was established on the first floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://alexgrant.me/2017/09/07/peterborough-how-an-ancient-city-became-a-new-town/|title=Peterborough: how an ancient city became a New Town|first=Alex|last=Grant|date=7 September 2017|accessdate=7 August 2020}}</ref> It is very similar in design to the Old Town Hall in Amsterdam which was painted by Pieter Jansz before it was demolished.<ref name=plaque>{{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/find-out-why-peterboroughs-guildhall-has-got-blue-plaque-2910385|title=Find out why Peterborough’s Guildhall has got a blue plaque|date= 11 July 2020| publisher=Peterborough Today|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref> The building, which was funded by public subscription, bears the Royal arms of King Charles II<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBX94_King_Charles_II_The_Old_Guild_Hall_Cathedral_Square_Peterborough_Cambs|title=King Charles II, The Old Guild Hall, Cathedral Square, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Coats of Arms|publisher=Waymarking|accessdate=7 August 2020}}</ref> and shields displaying the arms of Bishop Joseph Henshaw, Dean James Duport, Humphrey Orme MP and the Montagu family.<ref name=plaque/>
In the early 20th century the building was the traditional meeting place for the historic Fitzwilliam Hunt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14125276|title=Photograph of the meet of the Fitzwilliam Hunt at the Guildhall Peterborough |date=10 March 1904|publisher=National Archives|accessdate=17 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/hundreds-gather-meet-hunt-1167573|title=Hundreds gather to meet hunt|date=29 December 2016|publisher=Peterborough Telegraph|accessdate=7 August 2020}}</ref> At that time the guildhall was physically connected to other buildings, which have since been demolished, on the St John's Church side.<ref name=plaque/>
The building benefited from some restoration work in 1929.<ref name=nhle/> The upper floor of the guildhall, which is reached by a cast iron staircase, was the meeting place of Peterborough Municipal Borough Council from its incorporation in 1874 until the new Town Hall in Bridge Street was completed in 1933.<ref name=plaque/> The council proposed a scheme in the early 21st century whereby the open ground floor, which had once created a space where the butter and poultry markets could operate, would be enclosed by glass; this scheme was abandoned on the grounds of cost.<ref name=time/><ref>Donoyou, R., (2004) ''Peterborough Guildhall; A Feasibility Study and Project Evaluation''</ref>
On 4 July 2012 the guildhall was the starting point for the Olympic flame's journey on day 47 before leaving for Lincolnshire as part of its relay tour of the United Kingdom as part of preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2012-04-20/olympic-torch-relay-rehearsal/?page=22|title=The Olympic Torch|date=20 April 2012|publisher=ITV|accessdate=7 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18691353|title=Olympic torch relay: Flame visits Sandringham House|date=4 July 2012|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=7 August 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:City and town halls in Cambridgeshire Category:Buildings and structures in Peterborough Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Cambridgeshire Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1671 Category:Government buildings completed in the 17th century