Peterborough - A Vibrant Campus in a Breathtaking Natural Setting

Trent University's Peterborough campus – also called the Symons Campus after our founding president, Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons--is an inspiring place to learn. With both historic and modern buildings situated in a stunning natural landscape along the Otonabee River, the campus invites students to find their unique place to grow, thrive, live and connect.

A University Town that has it All

Peterborough is a culturally- and socially-rich place to live with has the energy and resources that make it a great university town. With a population of just under 85,000, the City of Peterborough offers plenty of things to do all year round, but its size makes it easy to navigate and connect with the local community.

Peterborough (and Trent University) is in Central Ontario in a vacation area known as the Kawarthas – the “Land of Shining Waters” – famous for its beautiful lakes and water recreation. We’re just 90-minutes from Toronto, three hours from Ottawa, and five hours from Montreal.

Arts and Culture

Peterborough is a vibrant, multicultural community with more than 140 arts and culture organizations, including theatres, art galleries, museums, historic sites and other performance spaces.

On our campus alone, you’ll find the Wenjack Theatre and Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space with live theatre, dance and music. You will also find the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre (pictured above) at Trent’s Traill College in downtown Peterborough, a new hub for arts and culture in the city.
Many famous artists visit Peterborough for performances, and also come to Trent. The University has brought distinguished individuals to campus to lecture and perform, including—luminaries such as Dr. David Suzuki, Canadian authors Alistair MacLeod and Yann Martel, and jazz vocalist Diana Panton.

The Music Scene

Peterborough has a thriving music scene, including hosting some of the largest free concert events in Canada: the Peterborough Music Festival and Peterborough Folk Fest. Every year a host of bands—famous and those with cult followings--bring the city to life with a range of music genres, from rock to blues to hip hop to folk. Music festivals such as the September Downtown Jazz Festival also attract big name headliners.

Shops and Boutiques

Peterborough is a hub of local retail activity – with shops, stores, and boutiques unique to the city. Head downtown to explore everything from vintage and second-hand clothing, handmade beauty products, plants and green décor, locally crafted art, and more. You can browse for treasures amongst the stacks in “booksellers’ row,” purchase handmade candles or soaps, buy organic produce at the Farmer’s Market, or spend Saturday afternoon at one of the malls.

Places to Eat

Peterborough has a phenomenal culinary scene. No matter what you are craving--Mexican, Indian, Italian, Greek, Japanese, Thai, Belgian, or even new-world cuisine —you can find it in downtown Peterborough in the busy Bistro District on and surrounding Hunter Street.

Did You Know?

• You can walk, bike, in-line skate, or cross-country ski between Trent University and downtown Peterborough all on the Rotary Greenway Trail
• Students run an organic local food café on Trent’s Symons Campus called The Seasoned Spoon, which serves up dishes that feature ingredients from Trent’s very own vegetable garden
• There are 134 lakes near Trent University in Peterborough.