Ferry Meadows

Ferry Meadows is the ideal place for a family day out and one of the largest country parks in the region. Situated less than three miles from Peterborough city centre, at the heart of Nene Park, its varied landscapes make it the favourite destination for thousands of visitors throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to walk, cycle, try some watersports, enjoy a cup of tea in one of the cafés, go fishing or just explore the meadows, lakes and woodland, there's something for everyone at Ferry Meadows.

Download the Ferry Meadows map

Car park earliest and latest entry times 2023:

Ferry Meadows is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists at all times.
Car park earliest and latest entry times for vehicle access at Ferry Meadows are below.

Summer: 27 March to 29 September: 06:30 - 21:00

Autumn: 30 September to 29 October: 06:30 - 19:00

Winter: 30 October to 26 March: 06:30 - 18:30

How to find Ferry Meadows

Click here for parking information.

Click here for sustainable ways of travelling to Ferry Meadows.

To ensure that all visitors can enjoy their visit please be aware of our Park Code.

Visitor Centre, Gift & Farm Shop

Whether a regular or first-time visitor, drop in and our friendly team will be happy to help you plan your visit and make sure you have a great day out. With so much to do and see we wouldn’t want you to miss out!

Located in the Visitor Centre, our gift and farm shop is home to delicious and locally sourced produce alongside a range of exclusive gifts, treats for the home and garden, games, toys and everything you could need for a great day out in the Park. You can get a flavour of the different ranges available in the shop by taking a look at our Visitor Centre Shop page.

All the proceeds made from purchases at our Gift and Farm Shop will be reinvested back into the Park, helping to maintain and nurture its much loved greenspaces.

Lakeside and Nene Outdoors

Nene Outdoors logo

Lakeside provides a hub for activity and relaxation. As well as being home to Lakeside Kitchen & Bar, it is where you can find Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity centre which offers a wide range of Pay and Play activities such as pedalos, kayaks and paddleboards, courses, and clubs.

Facilities

Cafes

The Ferry Meadows Cafe is situated in a beautiful location overlooking Overton Lake next to the Visitor Centre and has indoor and outdoor seating and a range of meals, snacks and drinks. Lakeside Kitchen and Bar is situated overlooking Gunwade Lake in the Lakeside area. For more information on other nearby places to eat go to our Where to eat page.

Toilets

Public toilets are located adjacent to the main car park by the Visitor Centre and by the car park at Lakeside. These are open daily during daylight hours throughout the year.

Accessible toilets are located within both toilet blocks and in the cafes. Baby changing facilities are available within the accessible toilet in both public toilet blocks and in the customer toilets in the cafes.

Accessible Toilets and changing facility

An accessible changing facility including a height adjustable changing bench, a hoist system and shower is available at Nene Outdoors during the centre's opening hours. Users are required to provide their own slings. For more information on using this facility, please get in touch with the Nene Outdoors team on 01733 234193.

Play areas

We have three play areas in Ferry Meadows with a range of play equipment suitable for all ages. For more information visit our Play areas page.

More than just a day out...

At Ferry Meadows we run a packed events programme and education programme throughout the year, offering the chance to learn new skills and to discover more about this incredible Park.

As well as offering a great day out for friends, families and schools, Ferry Meadows is also the perfect place to organise an event, take part in a team day with colleagues or volunteer.

Easy to get to and open 365 days a year, make Ferry Meadows your next great day out.

Did you know there are a variety of activities and groups held in the Park, run by the Trust and by external partners? Visit our Discover Ferry Meadows page to discover more, learn how you can take part and try something new!

Latest

Music in the Park: Salvation Army Brass Band

Enjoy music in the Park on Sunday 23 June with the Salvation Army Brass Band. Simply come along to the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows, relax and enjoy!
Music in the Park: Salvation Army Brass Band

Enjoy music in the Park on Sunday 23 June with the Salvation Army Brass Band. Simply come along to the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows, relax and enjoy!
Growing our family groups at Ferry Meadows

We're delighted to share that our popular monthly family groups are growing in May, and relocating to the dedicated Forest School site at Lynch Farm in Ferry Meadows. Moving our family groups to Lynch Farm will give even more local children the space to learn through exploring, play and hands-on experiences in the great outdoors, whilst most importantly, having lots of fun!
Pay and Play hire

Boat hire is available at Nene Outdoors every day during the May half term school holiday. Will you try something new or do you have a favourite boat to enjoy the lake?

Thorpe Meadows

Thorpe Meadows is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at all times and is home to Nene Park’s purpose-built rowing lake, riverside walks and a sculpture collection.
Orton Meadows

Located at the main gateway to Ferry Meadows, Orton Meadows is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at all times and is home to Nene Golf and Pitch & Putt as well as the Granary Pub, a Premier Inn and Notcutts Garden Centre.
Orton Mere

Orton Mere connects Ferry Meadows to Thorpe Meadows and boasts lakes and open space for recreation. With an avenue of trees to guide your way, why not visit Orton Mere as an alternative gateway to the Park?
Woodston Reach

Woodston Reach is a wooded area of Nene Park to the east of Orton Mere. It offers great opportunities for walking if you are looking for something a little bit quieter to the popular Ferry Meadows.
Rural Estate

Found to the west of Ferry Meadows, the Rural Estate is a large agricultural landscape which is steeped in history. Why not join the Nene Way which runs alongside the River Nene, to explore this area further, including the unspoilt villages of Castor, Ailsworth and Sutton.
Woodlands sports pitches

Nene Park Trust owns and manages the football and cricket pitches at Woodlands in Castor. Find out about the facilities and how to use them here.

Ferry Meadows

Ferry Meadows is the ideal place for a family day out and one of the largest country parks in the region. Situated less than three miles from Peterborough city centre, at the heart of Nene Park, its varied landscapes make it the favourite destination for thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Water Pay & Play Activities

At Nene Outdoors, we run a ‘Pay and Play’ scheme, providing visitors of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to enjoy the watersports we have on offer. Book for half hour sessions on line or for one hour, book two consecutive time slots, hire our equipment and use our facilities.
Parking charges at Ferry Meadows
Peterborough Celebrates Festival

Taking place in Ferry Meadows across the weekend of 19th - 21st May, the Peterborough Celebrates Festival is a free to attend, family-orientated festival that will bring communities together and celebrate everything that defines our fantastic city.
Take a boat trip

Enjoy a relaxing boat trip around Overton Lake on 'Wyndham', our new electrically powered passenger boat, and discover more about our new passenger cruises and private hire services.
Play areas

Nene Park is a great place to play. Games on the meadows, adventures in the woodlands and three great play areas within Ferry Meadows to cater for all ages.
Festival programme
Six Weeks of Summer at Nene Park

From Saturday 22 July, you'll find exciting activities and events running for the six weeks of school summer holidays in the Park! Find out what’s happening and when, with our Six Weeks of Summer guide.
How does the car park system at Ferry Meadows work?
Guide to Christmas at Ferry Meadows

Alongside our ice rink, Park visitors will find a mini Christmas market, vintage fun fair and free Christmas craft activities for children, with twinkling lights and festive garlands creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Click to find out more.