From Saturday 23 October, we are holding an exciting week of autumnal-themed activities and events for all the family at Nene Park, tying in with the school half term break. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from our scarecrow making activity and autumn colour walk to archery, climbing and broomstick making events. In addition we have our autumn holiday trail, daily watersports pay and play activities at Nene Outdoors and boat trips on Overton Lake!

---

Find out what’s happening and when, with our Autumn Festival guide to family fun in the Park:

Daily:

Complete a trail at Ferry Meadows: There will be a trail up around Ferry Meadows for the half term holiday week. Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £1, hunt for questions as you walk around the Park and return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize.

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 6pm each day. Daily watersports activities include swan pedalos and 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. You can also hire bikes at Nene Outdoors to explore the wider Park! Click here to book your tickets.

Take a boat trip: Take a trip around Overton Lake in our eco passenger boat and enjoy unique views of the lakes and the River Nene around Ferry Meadows. Boat trips will run at various intervals each daily throughout the week or you can book onto our special wildlife cruise on Saturday 23rd October. Click here to book your tickets.

---

Dates for your diary

Saturday 23rd October: Experience the wildlife of Ferry Meadows on our Wildlife boat cruise. Join us 10.30am-12pm on a cruise along the River Nene where swans, geese and other water fowl will glide alongside the boat.  We cannot guarantee what you will see but wildlife highlights may include Herons, Kingfishers and the elusive Otter!  Cruises last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and a member of our knowledgeable team will join you on the cruise to make sure you don’t miss anything and help you learn more about the wildlife you observe. This event is suitable for 10 yrs+ and tickets cost £12 per person.

You can also discover the wonderful world of fungi on our Fungi Foray walk and talk 10am-3pm with Jonathon from Fen Fungi. Suitable for anyone aged 16yrs+, it costs £10 per person. 

Browse and sample some of our produce from the Lakeside Farm shop at our Food Fair just in front of the shop at Lakeside, Ferry Meadows.

Sunday 24 October: Sign up in a group to come and make a scarecrow, which will be on display in the Park for the half term week.  All materials: straw, newspapers and a sack head are provided.  Members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite scarecrow and there will be a prize for the scarecrow (makers) with the most votes.  This event is suitable for all ages and costs £6 per scarecrow. You will also be able to Find out about Fundraising with our Fundraising Officer Lucy and about the different ways you can support Nene Park. 

Monday 25 October: Our monthly Nature Tots group meets this morning 10-11.30am for pre-school aged children and their carers so book a place to take part in messy autumnal crafts, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and song time. Cost is £3.50 per child. Alternatively go on an Autumn Colour Walk around Ferry Meadows with one of our Rangers; Sophie. Suitable for 12 yrs+ and tickets cost £2.50 per person.

Tuesday 26 October: The first of our Tree Hunt and Broomsticks events is today in Bluebell Wood.  The witch has lost her belongings in the trees. Find the trees, find the items and she'll reward you with your very own broomstick to fly away home on. Children will make their broom stick from the Park's wood resources. This event is suitable for 5 yrs+ and you need to book for a group (max. of 4 including one adult) at a cost of £10 per group. We are also holding Archery sessions throughout the day on Oak Meadow, so why not book to have a go? Suitable for 8 yrs+ and costs £8 per person.

Wednesday 27 October: Come along 10.30am-12pm and Make a bird box under the guidance of our rangers. Birds will use the boxes to roost and shelter in the winter months and will then get ready for nesting in spring next year. This event is suitable for all ages and costs £8 per box. Our Tree Hunt and Broomsticks event is also on today again - in Thorpe Meadows this time. 

Thursday 28 October: Our climbing wall will be outside Nene Outdoors for the day so book in for a climbing session with us. Are you brave enough to reach the top? It is suitable for adults and children 4 yrs+ and a session costs £8 per person. You can also find out more about how we prepare our firewood to sell at the visitor centre or for our campsite visitors? Drop by the visitor centre area 10.30am-2pm and you can see a log splitting demo with our volunteer wood craft team.

Friday 29 October: Take part in our Tree Hunt and Broomsticks event which comes to Ferry Meadows this time. Hunt for the witch’s belongings in the trees and make your very own broomstick! Please book in advance with a group of up to 4 people.

Saturday 30 October: Design and make your own Autumn wreath in our wreath making workshops with Florist Gemma from Emilee Rose. There are morning and afternoon sessions to book onto. All materials provided including an oasis wreath, and a selection of green foliage.  

Sunday 31 October: Come and help us keep the Park clean and green 10am-1pm. Pick up a litter picker and bin bags from us at the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows and see what you can collect. How about coming in Halloween fancy dress too?  

---

Booking for events can be made via our events page. Contact 01733 234193 or email [email protected] for more information, accessibility advice or directions. 

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. Please go to www.nenepark.org.uk/donate if you are able to support us