Peterborough, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Body Snatchers and Olympians

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 3, 2026

1. Body Snatchers and Olympians Marker

Inscription. The area across the road used to be the old Cowgate cemetery. Opened in 1803, this was the main graveyard for the city for much of the 19th century. It was notorious in the late 1820s as a haunt of body snatchers; criminals who dug up freshly buried corpses to sell for dissection.

The shop next to you was for many years Robertson's cycle shop. Its founder, Arthur Robertson, won a gold medal in the 1908 Olympics.

As you walk along the street, look out for the bust of Lord Nelson mounted on the front of Number 34.

To your right is Priestgate, another one of our old streets. It is dominated by a grand Georgian building that has been a private house, the city's first hospital and is today Peterborough Museum. Explore its displays to find out more about our history.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 52° 34.376′ N, 0° 14.799′ W. Marker is in Peterborough, England. It is at the intersection of Cowgate and Queensgate Roundabout, on the left when traveling west on Cowgate. Touch for map. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is at or near this postal address: 50 Cowgate, Peterborough, England PE1 1LZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in England’s East Anglia.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Peterborough (here, next to this marker); Street of Cows (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Railway Town (about 240 meters away); The Guildhall (about 240 meters away); Age of Steam (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Markets and Monarchs (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Abbey and Cathedral (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St Thomas Becket (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peterborough.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.