Six Weeks of Summer at Nene Park

Join us for six whole weeks of summer activities and adventures in the Park

From Saturday 22 July, you'll find exciting activities and events running for the six weeks of school summer holidays in the Park! There is something for everyone to enjoy, from our new wild wood adventure days, a family theatre show and ever-popular holiday trails to pond dipping and bug hunts, learn-to-sail courses, archery and climbing sessions. Not to mention our daily watersports activities and camping at Nene Outdoors, plus lake and river boat trips departing from Overton Lake.

Find out what’s happening and when, with our Six Weeks of Summer guide to family fun in the Park:

Summer-long Activities

Pay & Play at Nene Outdoors: Make a splash with our full range of Pay and Play activities on Gunwade Lake, with activities available between 11am and 6.30pm each day. Daily watersports activities include dragon and swan pedalos, row boats, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, dinghies and windsurfing.  Buoyancy aids are included with hire and our friendly and experienced members of staff are always on hand to offer advice and ensure you are safe at all times. Book your activities online to avoid the queues on busy days!

Take a boat trip: Take a trip around Overton Lake in our new eco passenger boat and enjoy unique views of the lake and the wildlife around Ferry Meadows. Boat trips run regularly at weekends, and daily during school holidays. Under 3s go free. Book your tickets now. Don't miss our specially extended Family Wildlife Boat Trip on Thursday 10th August!

Give climbing or archery a go: Try a new sporting challenge this summer with our archery and climbing wall sessions! Held on alternate weeks throughout the summer holidays, the sessions run from 11am to 4pm and last for 45 minutes. Tickets cost £12 per person.

• Archery Sessions - 25th July, 10th & 22nd August - click here to book.
• Climbing Wall Sessions - 1st, 17th & 29th August - click here to book.  

Complete a trail at Ferry Meadows: There will be a new trail up around Ferry Meadows every two weeks throughout the summer holidays. Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £1, answer the questions as you walk around the Park and return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize to grow at home.

Camp under the stars: Upgrade your day out at Ferry Meadows to an overnight adventure! Book one of our spacious bell tents on the Lakeview Campsite and enjoy an easy camping experience on the banks of Gunwade Lake, or bring your own tent to The Glade, our peaceful pitch-only campsite. Located in the heart of Ferry Meadows, both campsites have access to fantastic facilities and are ideally situated to take advantage of all the exciting activities on offer at Nene Outdoors. Click here to find out more.

RYA Sailing Courses: Learn to sail this summer on a two-day course in the safe waters of Gunwade Lake at Nene Outdoors. Choose from our youth or adult sailing and windsurfing courses, with different levels available depending on your experience. All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Scroll down the page for all course details.

Ride the miniature railway: All aboard the Ferry Meadows railway! Sit back and enjoy the ride as you pass through meadows, while taking in the view of Overton and Lynch Lakes. Trains will operate daily between 11am and 4.45pm, weather permitting. For more information visit www.ferrymeadowsrailway.co.uk

Discover the Visitor Centre, Gift & Farm Shop: Open daily from 9am to 6pm, the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows stocks everything you need for a great summer day out in the Park. From picnic and BBQ essentials to summer games and activities, and of course not forgetting plenty of refreshing drinks, snacks and ice creams. Our team are always on hand to share maps and answer any questions you may have about the Park.

The Beach at Orton Mere - 1st - 28th August: Run by Leslie Danter & Sons Amusements, The Beach at Orton Mere has fun for all the family, with unlimited access to fairground rides, crazy golf and a giant sandpit for just £10.99 per child for a 3 hour session. Suitable for children age 2-10, sessions start at 10am or 2pm each day and includes free parking. Games, food and drink stalls are also available at an additional cost. Click here to book your tickets.

Explore Longthorpe Tower - Weekends 10am-4.30pm: Visit Longthorpe Tower in Peterborough, the surviving tower of a 14^th century fortified Manor House. It contains the finest set of medieval wall paintings in a domestic setting in Western Europe, giving a rare insight into the medieval mind. Book your 1-hour tour with our knowledgeable volunteers between 10am – 4.30pm at weekends. Booking essential.

Open Water swimming - every Thursday 5.30-7pm: Come along and swim the 400m course on Gunwade Lake in these friendly sessions for all abilities. Register with NOWCA and get your first swim session free. Subsequent sessions are £7. Click here to find out more.

Family Fun & Nature Events

Pond Dipping - 27th July, 10th, 16th & 24th August: Come along to our FREE drop-in session between 12 and 3pm and spend some time pond dipping and identifying the fascinating creatures you find. There may be a wait on the day depending on the number of people attending.  Meeting at the Lynch Lake pond dipping platform, this event is suitable for children aged 3 and over and is free to attend, however donations are always welcome!

Bug Hunts - 26th July, 7th & 22nd August: Find out what amazing creatures make their home in the different habitats at Nene Park. This event is suitable for children aged two and over and costs £5 per child. Click here to book your place and choose from the morning or afternoon session.

Wild Wood Adventure Day - 17th August: Spend the day learning essential survival skills through a variety of bushcraft activities, such as how to light a fire, building a shelter, and using tools safely. Suitable for children age 8 and over, this is a parent drop off event running between 10am and 3.30pm, and costs £35 per child. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment! 

Family Wildlife Boat Trip - 10th August: Join us on a specially extended wildlife boat trip around Overton Lake and along the River Nene. We cannot guarantee what you will see, but wildlife highlights may include herons, kingfishers and the elusive otter. A member of our knowledgeable team will make sure you don’t miss a thing, and help you learn more about the wildlife you observe. Spotter sheets will be available for children to learn the names of birds that they see. Suitable for children age 4 and over, please click here to book your tickets.

Gateway Film Festival Free Outdoor Films in Ferry Meadows - 20th August: We are excited to partner up with Gateway Film Festival this summer to present two free outdoor film screenings. Grab your blankets, snacks and loved ones and enjoy family favourite Peter Rabbit at 4pm and Bollywood comedy Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara at 6pm. To find out more and book your free tickets please click here.

Nature Tots Parent & Toddler Group - 24th July, 14th & 21st August: Join our regular outdoor parent and toddler group with a nature theme. Each session includes a messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and song time. Suitable for pre-schoolers, it's £5 per child. Please click here to book your place. (Please note, 21st August is a repeat of the 14th August session).

Wild Home Educators Group - 24th July, 14th & 21st August: Join our regular outdoor education group for home schooled children. Each session has curriculum and nature focused activities. Suitable for children aged 5-11, it's £7 per child. Please click here to book your place.(Please note, 21st August is a repeat of the 14th August session).

Social Walking Group - 7th & 23rd August: Join our Visitor Ranger and get to know a group of like-minded walkers on our '4 Waters Walk'. This event is suitable for age 14 and over and is free to attend, but you do need to click here to book your place online.

Craft Workshops

Dragonfly Fused Glass Art Workshop - 12^th August: If you have already attended a beginners fused glass art workshop, take the next steps and create a beautiful dragonfly. In this workshop, June from Semperart will teach you techniques to cut your own glass and use a mould to create the shape you are looking for. Suitable for age 16 and over, it's £28 per person for this 2 hour workshop. Please click here to book your place. 

Willow Basket Weaving Workshop - 30th August: Come and enjoy a full day workshop working with willow to create a useful basket. Our experienced basket maker will guide you through many basic techniques, which may whet your appetite to try something more adventurous in the future! All materials and tools are provided. No previous experience required. Suitable for age 18 and over, it's £75 per person. Please click here to book your place.

Adult Fused Glass Art Workshop (3 hour) - 2 September: If you have already taken part in a fused glass art workshop, take what you have learned so far and use different inclusions and types of glass to create a piece of art work that will be totally unique to you. June from Semperart will teach you techniques to cut the glass, there will be a selection of inclusions and specialist glass that you can use to create your piece. Suitable for age 16 and over, it's £45 per person. Please click here to book your place.

Sailing Courses

Adult RYA Start Windsurfing – 22nd & 23rd July or 12th & 13th August: Nene Outdoors is the perfect place to come and learn to windsurf on our 2 day course. Our safe and sheltered waters help you progress in this sport, giving you the opportunity to focus on learning the basics, including preparation, sailing in all directions, manoeuvring the board and getting on and off the water. Suitable for age 16 and over, £182 per person. Click here to book your place.

Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 1, 24th & 25th July or 7th & 8th August: This two day course take you through the basics of dinghy sailing, getting you to a standard where you are able to enjoy the freedom of sailing. All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Suitable for 8-15 year olds, £182 per person. Book your place.

Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 2, 26th & 27 July or 9th & 10th August: This two day course covers launching and recovery, steering, parts of the boat and basic sailing. By the end of the course you will be more confident sailing, tacking, gybing and have improved in boat control and speed.  All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Suitable for 8-15 year olds, £182 per person. Book your place.

Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 3, 31st July & 1st August or 14th & 15th August: This two day course will teach you improved rigging, sailing theory, launching and recovery. By the end of the course will be able to launch and sail a dinghy on all points of sail or around a triangle in moderate conditions. All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Suitable for 8-15 year olds, £182 per person. Book your place.

Youth RYA Start Windsurfing – 2nd & 3rd August: Nene Outdoors is the perfect place to come and learn to windsurf on our 2 day course. Our safe and sheltered waters help you progress in this sport, giving you the opportunity to focus on learning the basics, including preparation, sailing in all directions, manoeuvring the board and getting on and off the water. Suitable for age 10-15 year olds, £182 per person. Click here to book your place.

Adult RYA Sailing – Stage 1, 19th & 20th August: This two day course take you through the basics of dinghy sailing, getting you to a standard where you are able to enjoy the freedom of sailing. All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Suitable for age 16 and over, £182 per person. Book your place.

Adult RYA Sailing – Stage 2, 2nd & 3rd September: This two day course covers rigging, launching and sailing in all directions, as well as capsize recovery and essential safety knowledge. After the course participants will be able to sail and make decisions in good conditions. Suitable for age 16 and over, £182 per person. Book your place.

Please donate if you can!

As you know, Nene Park Trust is a charitable organisation and relies on public support to manage the upkeep of our beautiful green spaces for all of the community to enjoy. Any support you can give to ensure the continuation of our services will help considerably. 

Make a donation to Nene Park