Sports and activities

Text only page

Things to do and see in Nene Park & Ferry Meadows. Scroll down the page or click on an underlined letter below.

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  J  |  K  |  L  |  M
 N  |  O  |  P  |  Q  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  U  |  V  |  W  |  X  |  Y  |  Z

A

Archery
Nene Bowmen meet in Ferry Meadows through the summer on weekday evenings and at weekends using the archery field at the north end of Oak Meadow. During the winter they use an indoor venue at a nearby school. They also hold "taster days" as well as running courses for beginners interested in finding out more about the sport. For more information, visit the Nene Bowman website.

B

Barbecues
There are permanent barbecue stands near the coach park and the Watersports Centre car park in Ferry Meadows. There is no charge for their use and they are not bookable, bring your own charcoal and utensils. You may bring your own barbecue provided that it is off the ground. Please take care; the grass in summer and autumn can be very dry and burn easily.
Please see our code of conduct & download resources leaflets

Basketmaking – See craft groups

Bird Watching
The varied habitats in Nene Park and its location on a river valley migration route attract a wide range of species. Over 222 have been seen and more than 90 have been recorded breeding in the Park. A species list for the park is available in the resources as a PDF download.

In Ferry Meadows you can watch the Birds and other wildlife from the two hides overlooking our specially created wetland nature reserve. Woodlands in the Park, both new and ancient are worthwhile exploring for birds with a good variety of species to be seen. Bluebell Wood has a bird feeding area sponsored by Vine House Farm, that attracts a great variety of woodland species and is the ideal location for whiling away time just watching the comings and goings of woodland birds.
Please download our species list

Peterborough Bird Club holds their annual Bird Fest in Ferry Meadows. Information about birds, the club and its activities and bird watching in the area can be found on their website.

Bird Ringing
A Constant Effort Ringing site is operated on the Nature Reserve as part of a national scheme organised by the BTO. By consistently ringing birds in the same location changes in populations of species can be studied over the years. The information gathered is an important contribution to building the national picture of changes in bird populations. So far the furthest recovery of a bird ringed in Ferry Meadows is Morocco. Bird ringing, when in progress can be viewed from the footpath around the nature reserve.
A copy of the most recent ringing report is available as a PDF download in the resources section. Previous reports are available on request.

C

Cafes
There are two cafes in Ferry Meadows offering a range of refreshments and light meals.

The Visitor Centre Café, operated by Teatime catering opens from Easter or the 1 April until the first Saturday in November. The café reopens at weekends from January. Telephone 01733 234493

Watersports Catering operate the Cafe and licensed bar at the Watersports Centre which is open daily to all Park visitors throughout the year. All cakes and meals are home made - telephone 01733 370293

Canoeing -  see water sports

Caravanning & Camping
One of the Caravan Club's most popular sites is at Ferry Meadows. It is open all year round and welcomes caravanners and campers. It is open to non-members. For information about the Club and the site visit its website.

Group Camping
There are two group campsites both with a lakeside setting near the Watersports Centre in Ferry Meadows. These are available for organised groups such as Scouts &Guides, Schools & Colleges, Social Clubs and similar organisations.
Download the leaflet for more information or for group enquiries and booking please contact us.
Please be aware of the 2.1m height barrier at the entrance to Ferry Meadows.

Craft Groups
Nene Park Basketmakers
Sustaining and developing the traditional craft of making willow baskets in the city. For more information on the group click here

Peterborough Scribes
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing. The club brings together those with an interest in its many styles and techniques and meets at the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows. For more information on the group click here

Peterborough Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers
The Peterborough Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers are a small friendly group who meet regularly (usually on the first Saturday in the month) in the Park to practise and promote spinning, weaving, dyeing and related crafts including basket making. Beginners and experts welcome. Lectures, workshops & demonstrations.  For more information, visit the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners, Dyers website 

Cycling
Explore the many miles of lakeside and woodland footpaths/cycle ways in Nene Park that link with the City-wide network and provide easy access to and from the City. Bring your own bikes or hire them from the Watersports Centre see cycle hire below.
Please download our code of conduct

The Green Wheel
The Peterborough Millennium Green Wheel is a continuous network of cycleways, footpaths and bridleways providing safe continuous routes around and into the city, through picturesque stone villages, the Fens and the scenic Nene Valley. While contributing to a sustainable transport system, it also celebrates over 3000 years of local social, cultural and economic history through colourful interpretation boards and a series of sculptures
More information about the Green Wheel can be found on Peterborough Environmental City Trust's website
A plan of the Green Wheel showing routes around and into the city is available from the Visitor Centre for £2.00 or from the Tourist Information in the Cathedral precincts.

National Cycleway Network
Route 63, part of the national cycleway network from Burton on Trent to Wisbech via Leicester & Peterborough goes through Nene Park. For more information visit the Sustrans website

Cycle Hire
Cycles for all the family can be hired from Lakeside Leisure at the Watersports Centre in Ferry Meadows. For more information visit the Lakeside Leisure website

D

Dog Walking
Dogs are permitted in the Park providing they are kept under close control. Responsible dog owners help us to keep the central area of Ferry Meadows clean and pleasant for all visitors by cleaning up their dogs' mess and using the dog bins provided.
To help, bags are available free from the Visitor Centre Shop, the Information Centre, or from any member of the Trust's Staff. (Page Link) code of conduct.
Also for a great information booklet “You and your dog in the countryside” telephone 0870 120 6466 and quoting Ref. No. CA205 or go to the Countryside Access website 

F

Fishing
Coarse fishing is available on a day ticket on Overton and Gunwade Lakes in Ferry Meadows and on the River Nene through Nene Park. A close season operates on the Lakes and River from 14 March to 15 June, inclusive. Closed season fishing is available on Gunwade from Pegs 65 -97.
More information can be obtained from Peterborough and District Angling Association.
Club Sec: Lyndsey Horsman, Tel: 01733 575606
Match Sec: Ken Wade kwade40819@aol.com

There are two stands close by the Watersports Centre car park for disabled anglers which are accessible to wheelchairs.

Flying model aircraft
For safety reasons model flying is confined to members of recognised clubs by arrangement with the Trust. Several classes of non motorised models are flown in Ferry Meadows by members of local clubs.

Peterborough Model Flying Club, meet in Ferry Meadows on Oak Meadow on Friday evenings throughout the summer. For more information visit the Peterborough Model Flying Club website 

British Association of Radio Controlled Soarers BARCS holds regular model glider flying events in Ferry Meadows throughout the year with members and enthusiasts representing most soaring disciplines. For more information visit the BARCS website 
Dates of any special events can be found on the Events page

G

Golf
There are two 18-hole courses in Nene Park at Thorpe Wood and Orton Meadows. Both are "pay and play" and offer professional shops, repairs and coaching.
More information can be found on their respective websites, Thorpe Wood Golf Course & Orton Meadows Golf Course

Pitch & Putt
There is a 12 hole par-three pitch and putt course at Orton Meadows Golf Course. Ideal for a family mini golf tournament? For more information visit the Orton Meadows Golf Course website

H

Horse Riding
There is a network of horse routes in Nene Park linking to local bridleways from Ferry Meadows and the west. The coach park in Ferry Meadows is the most central and convenient place to un-box for riders transporting their horses with close access to the horse route nearby. Riders in the Park are requested to stay on designated routes.
Download a map is available of horse routes in the Park and the adjacent area.
Please be aware of the height barrier at the entrance to Ferry Meadows.

Lynch Farm Equestrian Centre on the edge of Ferry Meadows offers a range of facilities including tuition. For information please telephone 01733 234445 or visit Lynch Farm Equestrian Centre website 

If you are riding in or exploring beyond the Park, you will find the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 Explorer 227 map of Peterborough useful: click here

K

Kite Flying
The central area of Ferry Meadows is a favourite location for kite fliers of all ages with all types of kites. Great Ouse Kite Flyers also hold a number of meetings each year and organise the Kite Festival held here each summer.
Dates can be found on the Events page and on the Club's website
For safety reasons, power kiting with boards and buggies is not permitted in the park.
 

M

Miniature Railway
A miniature railway carries passengers in Ferry Meadows between the Main Car Park to close to the Watersports Centre. It runs at weekends from Easter to the end of October and on weekdays in school holidays, weather permitting. For more information visit the Ferry Meadows Railway website

Model Boats
Peterborough Model Power Boat Club holds its Club and open meetings on Osier Lake at Orton Mere. For more information visit the Peterborough Model Power Boat Club website

N

Nene Valley Railway
The Nene Valley Railway is one of the best known standard gauge steam preservation railways in the country and home to that very special engine, Thomas. The railway runs for seven and a half miles between Yarwell Junction and Peterborough through the length of Nene Park with stations in the Park at Ferry Meadows and Orton Mere.
For information and timetables visit the NVR website
Talking Timetable 01780 784404 or enquiries 01780 784444

O

Orienteering
For a great way of exploring Ferry Meadows try navigating your way around the Orienteering course. The course in Ferry Meadows has been designed as an introduction to the sport of Orienteering and is a fun way of exploring the Park. It is suitable for groups and families who enjoy the challenge of finding their way in the great outdoors. You can run, jog or walk and choosing your route to the red and white markers is fun. It doesn't matter how young, old or fit you are, you go at your own pace. If you like excitement, fresh air and exploring the countryside, then Orienteering could be the sport for you.

Because the Park is open countryside, rather than the wooded or hilly terrain of advanced courses, a compass is not necessary, though of course you can use one if you wish.

There is a choice of two leaflets, a "Short Course" for beginners showing the first 10 control points and the other showing all 21 control points - Orienteering Course. Both leaflets have a maps and simple instructions of how to use the course. These are available as downloads here at the Visitor Centre Shop and Watersports Centre.

For more information about orienteering in Ferry Meadows contact the Visitor Services Officer.
For information about orienteering locally and nationally contact the following links, the West Anglian Orienteering Club or British Orienteering 

Play
In Ferry Meadows on Coney and Oak Meadows there are acres of wide open grass space for all sorts of games; cricket, frisbee or rounders, kick a ball or fly a kite.

There are three well equipped play areas that are maintained to the highest standards, the one near the Visitor Centre Café being specifically for younger children.

R

Rowing  - see Watersports

Running
Nene Park is a favourite with many local joggers and recreational runners. A number of clubs also hold road races and sometimes cross country races in the Park. Club details and event dates are on the Events page

S

Sailing & Sail boarding - see Watersports

Self guided Wildlife & Heritage Trails
The Wildflower Walk
This focuses on areas within Ferry Meadows Country Park which are all within a short walk of the Visitor Centre. These areas have been sown with arable weeds rarely seen in fields today. During the summer they bloom with vibrant coloured flowers that not only look visually attractive but on warm sunny days are buzzing with nectar seeking insects. They also give a snapshot of how some of the arable fields in the Nene valley may have looked before the turn of the last century and the advent of modern agricultural methods and chemicals.
Download a copy, also available from the Visitor Centre and Information Centre.

The Willow Trail
Looks at the history of Willow growing in the Nene valley and illustrates the value of one species in the working landscape. The accompanying leaflet may be downloaded or picked up from the Visitor and Information Centre.