What is the postcode for Ferry Meadows? Expand If using navigation, we recommend entering "Ham Lane, Peterborough" or the postcode PE2 5UU.
Where can I park? Expand All car parks at Ferry Meadows are marked on our visitor map. The main car park can be accessed by taking the third exit at the mini roundabout just beyond our entrance barrier. Our coach car park is just off the second exit. Taking the left exit at the mini roundabout, visitors can follow the road to the Lakeside Centre and car park. Halfway along this route on the right is our Overflow car park on Oak Meadow, which is opened during our busier summer months. Click here for information on parking at Thorpe Meadows Click here for information on parking at Orton Mere Click here for information on parking on the Rural Estate
What are the Park opening hours? Expand Opening HoursFerry Meadows is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists at all times.Opening and last entry times for vehicle access at Ferry Meadows are below. Winter opening times:29 October to 25 March: 06:30 - 18:30 Summer opening times:26 March to 30 October: 06:30 - 22:00
How much does it cost to park? Expand As an independent Charitable Trust, we receive no funding from the taxpayer and are totally reliant on income we generate ourselves. Income from parking helps us to provide great facilities and landscape for visitors to enjoy. Parking charges are in place at Ferry Meadows, Orton Meadows and Thorpe Meadows. At Ferry Meadows charges apply to all vehicles, all day, every day. The car parks are monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), managed by Saba Parking. Peak times 8am – 8pm (all year round) Standard tariff Up to 1 hour £1.70 1 – 1.5 hours £2.20 1.5 to 2 hours £2.80 2 to 2.5 hours £3.30 2.5 to 3 hours £3.90 3 to 3.5 hours £4.40 3.5 – 4 hours £5.00 Over 4 hours £5.50 Off peak times 8pm - 8am (all year round) 60p per hour Grace period 20 minutes For information on Orton Meadows charges click here. For information on Thorpe Meadows charges click here.
Do you offer an annual parking membership? Expand A parking membership is available for Ferry Meadows only and is £70 for the year. Members are automatically recognised by the ANPR system and do not need to enter details into the payment machines. For just £70 per year you'll receive: A year of parking that equates to just £1.35 per week 10% discount on retail purchases from the Visitor Centre 10% discount on retail purchases from Nene Outdoors 10% discount on Pay and Play activities at Nene Outdoors Convenience - parking machine not required at the end of your stay Income generated from parking memberships contributes to future plans to develop the Park and provide great facilities for our visitors to enjoy. Download an application form for annual parking membership for Ferry Meadows Members of the following organisations can benefit from special parking arrangements: Peterborough and District Angling Association (PDAA) - click here to download the application form Lakeside Sailing Club - click here to download the application form Annual membership is also available to purchase as a gift for someone. Additionally, we offer an Essential Companion membership scheme for disabled people who need carers or companions to drive them to the Park. If you would like to discuss Parking Membership further please contact us.
Can I bring my BBQ to the Park? Expand Visitors are welcome to bring their own BBQs to the Park, although please note that gas BBQs are not permitted. There are a number of permanent BBQ stands around the Park available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see our BBQs and picnics leaflet for further information. All BBQs brought to the Park must be raised off the ground and never placed on picnic tables or benches; however many of our picnic tables feature metal pull-out trays for disposable BBQs. All litter must be taken away or placed in the bins provided, and hot ash and disposable BBQs must be sufficiently cooled with water before disposal.
Can I bring my dog to the Park? Expand Dogs are very welcome to explore the Park but must be kept in sight and under control at all times. Our Park Code contains some useful information on bringing dogs to Nene Park. We also have a dog agility area located on the far side of Coney Meadow, marked on our Ferry Meadows Map.
Where can I find information on watersports on Gunwade Lake? Expand Our Nene Outdoors centre, next to Gunwade Lake, offers watersports taster sessions, training courses and private tuition. Many visitors also take advantage of our ‘Pay and Play’ scheme. There’s no need to book ‘Pay and Play’ activities – simply turn up, hire our equipment and use our facilities. Click here for further information on all watersports activities.
Are there cafes in the Park? Expand Ferry Meadows has two onsite cafes – Ferry Meadows Cafe, overlooking Overton Lake and next to the Visitor Centre, and Lakeside Kitchen & Bar, overlooking Gunwade Lake. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and choose from a range of hot meals, snacks and drinks. For more information, please click here.
When are the toilets open? Expand Public toilet blocks are located adjacent to the main car park by the Visitor Centre and next to the car park at the Lakeside Centre. These are open daily during daylight hours throughout the year.
Are there boat trips on the lake? Expand We now have a new electrically-powered passenger boat! This new boat replaces the previously diesel-powered boat that used to provide passenger trips around Overton Lake at Ferry Meadows. The batteries used to power the new boat will be charged using electricity provided through a green energy tariff, as part of the Trust’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and respond to a climate emergency. 30-45 minute trips will be offered for up to 12 passengers around Overton Lake and out onto the River Nene. The service will run at weekends during the summer season (March to October) and during school holidays. In addition, bespoke trips will also be developed for special occasions and corporate groups, providing a unique view of the Park and an inspiring experience on the water. To ensure this tranquil experience is available to all, the boat will have an accessible lift available from spring 2021, enabling up to two wheelchair users on board at any time. Future plans for the boat include the possibility of a taxi service to different parts of the Park. The Trust also hopes to install a solar array to help charge the boat, creating a truly sustainable long-term energy source. Tickets will be available online, from the Visitor Centre and from the boat itself.
Is there an accessible toilet and changing room? Expand Accessible toilets including baby changing facilities are located within both public toilet blocks and in the customer toilets in both Ferry Meadows Cafe and Lakeside Kitchen & Bar. 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 this facility, please contact [email protected].
When does the miniature railway run? Expand Ferry Meadows’ miniature railway generally runs during weekends and school holidays from 11.30am to 4pm. Dates and times are weather dependent and the railway won’t operate in heavy rain or very strong winds. Timetables and fares can be found at www.ferrymeadowsrailway.co.uk
How do I organise my own event at the Park? Expand Nene Park plays host to a wide range of community and charity events and is a fantastic venue for a wide range of activities. If you wish to host an event or activity in the Park involving 20 or more people, you will need to complete our Event Application Form and email this to [email protected]. Our Event Guide should contain all the information you need to complete the Event Application Form. However, if your event is for more than 100 people and you want to talk through some ideas with us, or if you have any other queries, please call 01733 234193. Please note, there are some activities not permitted in the Park due to the risk and potential nuisance they may cause to other visitors.
Do you offer venue hire? Expand We have two rooms available to hire – the Lakeside Meeting Room and the Discovery Den Education Centre. The Lakeside Meeting Room can be used for talks, meetings, seminars and training. It is situated within Nene Outdoors, the watersports and activity centre next to Lakeside Kitchen & Bar, and has stunning views over Gunwade Lake. There is also access to a private decked veranda overlooking the water. The Discovery Den Education Centre is ideally suited for use by schools, colleges and youth groups. It is also the perfect space for children's birthday parties or more informal meetings and is located by the Visitor Centre. Further information on both spaces can be found here. For groups considering the Lakeside Meeting Room, please also see our Corporate Experiences Brochure. For any additional information and to book a meeting room, please call 01733 234193 or email [email protected].
Do you do school trips to the Park? Expand Whether you are looking for adventurous activities or environmental education, we can offer a huge range of opportunities for outdoor learning here at Nene Park, where young people can try different activities, develop new skills and most importantly have fun! For more information, take a look at our education pages. If you are interested in booking a session, please telephone 01733 234193 or email [email protected]. A member of our education team will then be in touch to discuss your individual requirements. If you prefer to lead your own visit you can talk to our staff about hiring our facilities and equipment. It is important that you book in any self-led visits so that we can advise you of any limitations to access when you visit and ensure that you are not charged for coach/car parking. Please see our self-led school visit information pack. If you would like to go ahead with a self-led visit, please complete the notification form within that pack and return this to [email protected].
How do I volunteer at Nene Park? Expand We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities and can also tailor roles if you have a special skill or talent that you think could benefit the Park. For more information on current roles please visit our volunteer pages. If you would like to speak to a member of the team about volunteering, please call us on 01733 234193 or email [email protected].
Is there anything I can't do at Nene Park? Expand Some activities are not permitted in the Park due to the risk and potential nuisance they may cause to other visitors and wildlife. For a full list of these activities please click here.