Well, it actually opened in 1797 but in September 2025 the Norman Cross Prisoner of War site was opened to visitors with an interest in its fascinating history.
The listed scheduled monument faces potential threats as it is encircled by new housing development. With the help of grant funding from Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nene Park Trust has recently acquired the land. It is committed to preserve the archaeology and tell the story of a site which in its time housed a population of foreigners larger than that of neighbouring Peterborough.
The first step in making the Norman Cross Prison more accessible has been the construction of a viewing area where visitors can take in the lumps and bumps of the grassy field alongside interpretation boards and links to an online video and other images. The viewing area is approximately 30m east of the iconic Norman Cross Eagle (https://w3w.co/adopters.early.arrives).
It is not possible to walk across the site and, of course, metal detecting is illegal.
Several tours were organised this week under the expert guidance of Paul Chamberlain who has researched the site over many years and in 2018 wrote an excellent book which chronicles the experiences of many inmates.
Peterborough Museum has a large collection of intricate artefacts made by the prisoners. Some of these are now visible in 3D online but it is far better to go see the collection in person.
3D Reconstruction of the site by One to One Development Trust
Over the coming weeks and months, Nene Park Trust will be continuing to look at how they can develop online and on-site information, and open Norman Cross further to the public with regular volunteer-led guided walks, whilst ensuring the site is protected and the former prisoners and soldiers who are buried there remain at peace.
Paul Chamberlain explains the site to visitors. Image Credit – Rex Gibson
Bone, straw and wooden artefacts from Paul Chamberlain’s personal collection.
