Parklife 2020 Expand Click on the links below to download your digital copy of Parklife magazine: Parklife Spring 2020 Parklife Summer 2020 Parklife Autumn 2020
How does the car park system at Orton Meadows work? Expand As you enter Orton Meadows, drive up to the entry barriers and you will be issued with a ticket. The barrier will then rise. When you are ready to leave, enter your ticket at the payment machine and pay the appropriate charge. The machine accepts card, coins or contactless payment. For customers of The Granary, Rutland Cycling or Orton Meadows Golf and Pitch & Putt, FREE parking is in place provided you present your ticket at that business before you leave. You have an additional 30 minutes to return to your vehicle and exit the car park. When you approach the exit barrier, enter your ticket and it will rise automatically provided you have paid the correct tariff or had your ticket validated.
How does the car park system at Ferry Meadows work? Expand Cameras record your vehicle registration number when you enter the Park. No tickets are issued.You don't need to do anything until you are ready to leave. When you are ready to leave, go to one of the payment machines in the main car parks. Enter your full registration number into the payment machine. Pay the amount shown on the screen. Where there are two payment machines located next to each other, one will accept cards and coins (with change given) and also have the facility for contactless payment; the other machine will be card only. Your payment is complete. You have an additional 30 minutes to return to your vehicle and exit the Park. When you approach the exit barrier, the camera will recognise your registration number, know that you have paid and the barrier will rise automatically.
Planning your visit to Orton Mere and Woodston Reach Expand Assistance dogs Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Park. Mobility scooters Mobility scooters are welcome on all surfaced paths throughout the Park. How to find us Please visit our Find us page for details of the different ways to get to Orton Mere and Woodston Reach. Parking Accessible parking bays are available at Orton Mere in the main car park and near the model boat powerboat landing stage on Osier Lake alongside the access road. A second overflow car park alongside the Nene Valley Railway station at Orton Mere is opened on occasions. There are no designated accessible bays in this area and there is a gradient from the parking area to the main path. Parking is free for all vehicles. Parklife newsletter Our regular newsletter Parklife is available in standard, large print or audio formats. All are freely available in advance of your visit either electronically or by post. Please contact us with details of your requirements.
Planning your visit to Thorpe Meadows Expand Please visit our Find us page for details of the different ways to get to Thorpe Meadows. Parking Accessible parking bays are available in the car park. There is a drop kerb with a slight lip from the car park in this area for access to the path network. Please be aware there is a 2.1 metre height barrier across the entrance to the car park. It is free to park for one hour and then £2.50 for 24 hours. A ticket is required for free or paid parking. There are solar powered pay and display payment machines in the car park. Payment can be made in cash at the machine or by card with the new mobile app. All instructions are on the payment machines in the car park. Assistance dogs Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Park. Mobility scooters Mobility scooters are welcome on all surfaced paths throughout the Park. Parklife newsletter Our regular newsletter Parklife is available in standard, large print or audio formats. All are freely available in advance of your visit either electronically or by post. Please contact us with details of your requirements.
What are the parking charges at Orton Meadows? Expand Up to 1 hour FREE1 – 2 hours £2.50 Over 2 hours £5.00Free ticket validations for customers of businessess at Orton Meadows ie: Orton Meadows Golf and Pitch & Putt, Rutland Cycling and The Granary. Charges apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Can I apply for parking membership for Orton Meadows? Expand No - Nene Park Trust offers an Annual Parking Membership for Ferry Meadows only.
Parking charges at Ferry Meadows Expand Charges apply to all vehicles, all day, every day. The car park is monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), managed by Saba UK. 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
I am a Blue Badge holder. What are the parking arrangements for me at Orton Meadows? Expand The standard charges apply to Blue Badge holders. The car park has designated Blue Badge spaces. Please ensure your badge is displayed at all times. After paying, all visitors have an additional 30 minutes to exit the Park.
Annual parking membership Expand Annual membership is available at Ferry Meadows only and is £70 for the year. Members are automatically recognised by the system and do not need to enter details into the payment machines. For just £70 per year (or £35 for members of Peterborough and District Angling Association) 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 membership contributes to future plans to develop the Park and provide great facilities for our visitors to enjoy. Download an application form Complete your application form and either pop into the Visitor Centre or post it with a cheque made payable to Nene Park Trust to the Trust’s offices at Ham Farm House, Ham Lane, Peterborough PE2 5UU. Members of the following organisations can benefit from special parking arrangements: Peterborough and District Angling Association (PDAA) - click here. Lakeside Sailing Club - click here. Annual membership is also available to purchase as a gift for someone. For more details please click here. We also offer a membership for disabled people who need carers or companions to drive them into the Park. Click here to find out more our new essential companions parking membership scheme. To make changes to your existing parking membership details please complete and return the membership details amendment form which can be downloaded by clicking here.
Getting around Thorpe Meadows Expand Path gradients and surfaces Thorpe Meadows is a natural landscape and paths are made up of various surfaces which may be uneven in places. The main pathway alongside the edge of the rowing lake at Thorpe Meadows is tarmac and relatively flat. The rest of the pathways are uneven limestone and compacted stone surfaces with grass paths mown alongside the river and between some of the sculptures on the south side of the rowing lake. There is a particularly steep section on the north west corner of the horse route and at the narrow red footbridge on the path that takes visitors from Thorpe Meadows in The Boardwalks Nature Reserve and towards the City Centre. The nearby Orton Mere and Woodston Reach can be accessed by crossing the Nene Valley Railway and the footbridge over the lock. Please note there is a short ramp with self closing gates to access the railway crossing and a steep section on the path into Thorpe Meadows after the lock on the North side of the River. The path network are shared routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and in some circumstances horse riders. Please refer to the Thorpe Meadows map showing more detail of the path network including steep and unsurfaced sections or contact us. Seating There are a number of benches located along the north path of the rowing lake. They are set back from the main path with hard surfaced bases. A couple of picnic tables are located in the grass area between Orton Mere and Thorpe Meadows on the opposite side of the path to the river moorings. Information A Thorpe Meadows map is available at the car park. Ranger assistance Thorpe Meadows is an unmanned site. If you require assistance whilst exploring the Park our Rangers are contactable via 07860 308081 from 08:00 – 18:30 March – September and 08:00 – 16:00 October – February. Please note our Ranger team is not available on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
Where are the pay stations? Expand Discovery Den (near the Visitor Centre) Main car park Coach car park Lakeside car park Overflow car park
Facilities and services at Thorpe Meadows Expand Thorpe Meadows is the perfect place for a picnic or barbeque. A couple of picnic tables are located in the grass area between Orton Mere and Thorpe Meadows on the opposite side of the path to the river moorings. Whilst there is no café facility directly on the site, the neighbouring Dragonfly Hotel and Boathouse pub are situated at the eastern end of the rowing lake. Both offer outdoor seating and views of the lake. Details on how to picnic and BBQ in Nene Park as well as contact information for local catering outlets can be found on our Where to eat pages. Events Nene Park hosts many events throughout the year covering a range of activities, interests and ages. The events pages contain information about the broad accessibility of an event, which organisation is running the event and the contact details if you have any special requirements or queries regarding the accessibility of a particular event. Neckloop listening devices for use by those with hearing aids or non hearing aid users are available to visitors on Nene Park Trust guided walks and led events to pick up and amplify sound, making it clearer and easier to understand. If you feel this equipment may be of use to you on one of the Trust's events please contact us for more details. Bringing a companion/carer You can bring a companion or carer in for free to help you enjoy a Nene Park Trust event or activity that has an admission charge. Please note that not all events and activities at Nene Park are operated by Nene Park Trust. Enquiries about arrangements for companions/carers should be directed to the specific event/activity organiser. If you require a companion/carer to access a Nene Park Trust event please contact the Education and Activities team to discuss any additional access requirements and arrange a booking. If you require a companion/carer to access a course or activity with Nene Park Trust at Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre please contact Nene Outdoors to discuss any additional access requirements and arrange a booking. While carer(s) will be allowed entry to the event/activity with you free of charge, they must at all times be in a caring role that is providing support and assistance. It is not acceptable for carers to be participating independently and if this is the case, that person will not be allowed entry as a carer and will be expected to pay in full. Volunteer opportunities Nene Park Trust offers a range of volunteer opportunities. Our volunteer pages contain information about current vacancies and the contact details to discuss any specific access requirements.
What happens if there is a problem with the machine or I can't get out of the Orton Meadows car park? Expand There is a 24 hour intercom button on the pay machines and at the exit barrier, which you can call for assistance. For general queries about parking contact [email protected]
I am a Blue Badge holder, what are the parking arrangements for me? Expand The standard charges apply to Blue Badge holders. All main car parks have designated Blue Badge spaces. Please ensure your badge is displayed at all times. After paying, all visitors have an additional 30 minutes to exit the Park. For details of the general accessibility of Nene Park visit the accessibility section on this website.
Getting around Orton Mere and Woodston Reach Expand Path gradients and surfaces Orton Mere and Woodston Reach are natural landscapes and paths are made up of various surfaces which may be uneven in places. The main pathways at Orton Mere are tarmac and relatively flat. Mown grass routes are created around Orton Mere pond. The nearby Thorpe Meadows can be accessed by crossing the Nene Valley Railway and the footbridge over the lock. Please note there is a short ramp with self closing gates to access the railway crossing and a steep section on the path into Thorpe Meadows after the lock on the north side of the River. The paths at Woodston Reach are mostly tarmac but also include firm but muddy sections, a couple of narrow footbridges and significant gradients on the routes between Woodston Reach and Orton Mere and the neighbouring housing estate. The path network are shared routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and in some circumstances horse riders. A map of Orton Mere and Woodston Reach is at the main Orton Mere car park or do contact us to discuss your visit. Seating There is one bench at Orton Mere overlooking Osier Lake near to the vehicle entrance. The bench is sited in a grass area away from the tarmac path. Information A map of Orton Mere and Woodston Reach is at the main Orton Mere car park. Ranger assistance Orton Mere and Woodston Reach are unmanned sites. If you require assistance whilst exploring the Park our Rangers are contactable via 07860 308081 from 08:00 – 18:30 March – September and 08:00 – 16:00 October – February. Please note our Ranger team is not available on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
Things to do at Thorpe Meadows Expand Please note the following activities are run by partner organisations and do not operate at the Park full time. Please contact them in advance of a visit if you wish specifically to see or take part in this activity. Fishing Fishing rights at Thorpe Meadows are operated by Peterborough and District Angling Assocation with day tickets and annual membership available. For further details and contact information visit our fishing page. Horse riding There are horse routes throughout the Park which are marked on posts with blue horseshoe signs. Horse riding lessons and short breaks for adults and children at the Park are provided by Lynch Farm Riding. For further details about riding in Nene Park and contact information visit our ride a horse page. Peterborough Model Flying Club Peterborough Model Flying Club is a multi discipline club with flying sites for free flight, control line and radio control. The club make use of a meadow area located on the north side of the rowing lake at the end farthest from the rowing club building. For further details and contact information visit our clubs page. Peterborough City Rowing Club Thorpe Meadows' purpose built rowing lake and club house is home to the Peterborough City Rowing Club. The club is associated with Rowability and does all it can to make the sport accessible to all. For further details and contact information visit our clubs page.
Accessibility welcome to Ferry Meadows Expand Visitor Centre Our friendly staff in the Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre can provide you with all the information you will need to make the most of your day. Entrance to the building is via a short ramp to automatic sliding doors at the front or a small slope through a push button operated door from the Ferry Meadows Café side. Guides to the Park are available from the Visitor Centre. Please visit our Visitor Centre page for details of the opening times. Nene Outdoors If you choose to start your visit at the Lakeside area our team have a small base at Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre. The Lakeside building has stepped and ramped access from the pathways opposite the car park. The staff here have guides to the Park and are able to help with any general Park enquiries you may have.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.Please take a look at the Nene Outdoors page for further details of opening times, available activities and accessible facilities. Ranger assistance If you require assistance whilst exploring the Park our Rangers are contactable via 07860 308081 from 08:00 – 18:30 March – September and 08:00 – 16:00 October – February. Please note our Ranger team is not available on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Nene Park Trust is a member of Peterborough’s Dementia Friendly Community, where businesses and organisations work collectively to make the City a supportive place for people living with dementia, their family and carer, in order to live well, get the help they need in everyday life and continue to do the things they enjoy. To play our part in helping make this a reality a number of our staff and volunteers have attended Dementia Friends Information Sessions, delivered by Alzheimer’s Society, to help our team learn more about the condition and to assist visitors living with Dementia and their carers. For more information about Peterborough’s Dementia Friendly Community please visit the Dementia Action Alliance website
I have paid for parking at Orton Meadows. Does this mean I can drive into Ferry Meadows and park for free under the same ticket? Expand Paid parking at Orton Meadows will not be valid in Ferry Meadows car park. When entering Ferry Meadows, your vehicle registration number will be recorded by Automatic Number Plate Recognition and you will be required to pay for the time you have been in the Park before leaving. Payment is not transferrable across other sites.
What happens if there's a problem with the pay machine or I can't get out of the car park? Expand There is an intercom system on each payment machine and on the exit barriers which connects to a customer service advisor at all times. If you encounter a problem while you are in the Park, use this service. For general queries contact [email protected]
Feedback on your visit to Thorpe Meadows Expand Nene Park Access Forum Do you have an interest in access at Nene Park? Nene Park Trust holds a twice-yearly access forum to update park users about access improvements and to hear directly from visitors about their experiences of using the Park. We also make contact in between meetings to share information about access related developments including a regular Nene Park Access Forum newsletter. We welcome anyone with an interest or an experience to share. For more details, contact us. Feedback We are always keen to hear visitors’ experiences of the Park to continue to improve our services and you can provide this in a number of ways: Contact us directly Share your feedback with staff at the Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre Provide feedback online through TripAdvisor Join our Access Forum or Volunteers to become more involved in the development of the Park.
Planning your visit to Ferry Meadows Expand Assistance dogs Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the Park including inside the Visitor Centre. Dog drinking bowls are provided outside the Visitor Centre, Ferry Meadows Café and Lakeside Kitchen & Bar. Mobility scooters Mobility scooters are welcome on all surfaced paths throughout the Park. Please note that the Riverside Walk is not suitable for mobility scooters or other wheeled vehicles. The Park currently has four mobility scooters and will soon have two Mountain Trikes available for free loan from the Visitor Centre. Pre-booking is recommended. A short induction will be carried out by a member of staff for first time users of our equipment. For more information or to book a mobility scooter please contact 01733 234193. How to find us Please visit our Find us page for details of the different ways to get to Ferry Meadows. Parking Accessible parking bays are available in all of the permanent tarmac car parks. On busy days overflow parking is provided on grass fields. Parking charges apply all day, every day. Please visit our Parking page for details of charges. Please be aware that there is a height restriction barrier of 2.1 metres and alligator teeth across the access roads at Ferry Meadows. Oversized vehicles displaying a blue badge are permitted access to Ferry Meadows. For details of how to arrange access please visit our Parking page or contact us in advance of your visit. Parklife newsletter Our regular newsletter Parklife is available in standard, large print or audio formats. All are freely available in advance of your visit either electronically or by post. Please contact us with details of your requirements.
Height restriction barrier Expand The height barrier was installed to prevent unauthorised encampments which cost the Trust time and money to remove. The incidents lead to distress and complaints from Park users and businesses operating within the Park. The maximum height for vehicles is 2.1 metres, an industry standard measurement. It is the responsibility of the driver to know the height of the vehicle and if there is any doubt assistance should be sought. The following over-height vehicles are permitted access: Cars with cycles or roof boxes on top Horseboxes Legitimate deliveries to concessionaires until 10am each day Cars towing or carrying water sports equipment for use at Lakeside Coaches and minibuses Vehicles displaying a current disabled pass People connected to authorised events held with the Trust's knowledge Please call the Duty Ranger on 07860 308081 when you arrive at the height barrier and allow time for a member of staff to reach you, they may be some distance away. Your patience is appreciated. The following vehicles are not permitted access: Any other vehicles including cars towing caravans Motor homes Mobile homes Commercial vehicles not on official business There is parking available for these vehicles at Orton Mere which is approximately 2km / 1.3m from Ferry Meadows.
Facilities and services at Orton Mere and Woodston Reach Expand Food & drink Orton Mere and Woodston Reach is the perfect place for a picnic or barbeque. Details on how to picnic and BBQ in Nene Park can be found on our Where to eat pages. Duck feeding We encourage the safe and healthy feeding of birds in the Park so please only feed the ducks and geese pellets available from Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre. General information on how visitors can help us keep the ducks and geese healthy can be found on our Feed the ducks page. Events Nene Park hosts many events throughout the year covering a range of activities, interests and ages. The events pages contain information about the broad accessibility of an event, which organisation is running the event and the contact details if you have any special requirements or queries regarding the accessibility of a particular event. Neckloop listening devices for use by those with hearing aids or non hearing aid users are available to visitors on Nene Park Trust guided walks and led events to pick up and amplify sound, making it clearer and easier to understand. If you feel this equipment may be of use to you on one of the Trusts events please contact us for more details. Bringing a companion/carer You can bring a companion or carer in for free to help you enjoy a Nene Park Trust event or activity that has an admission charge. Please note that not all events and activities at Nene Park are operated by Nene Park Trust. Enquiries about arrangements for companions/carers should be directed to the specific event/activity organiser. If you require a companion/carer to access a Nene Park Trust event please contact the Education and Activities team to discuss any additional access requirements and arrange booking. If you require a companion/carer to access a course or activity with Nene Park Trust at Nene Outdoors activity centre please contact Nene Outdoors to discuss any additional access requirements and arrange booking. While carer(s) will be allowed entry to the event/activity with you free of charge, they must at all times be in a caring role that is providing support and assistance. It is not acceptable for carers to be participating independently and if this is the case, that person will not be allowed entry as a carer and will be expected to pay in full. Volunteer opportunities Nene Park Trust offers a range of volunteer opportunities. Our volunteer pages contain information about current vacanices and the contact details to discuss any specific access requirements.