Hiring a mobility scooter or Mountain Trike Expand To help visitors with access needs explore Ferry Meadows, we offer a mobility scooter hire service from the Visitor Centre & Gift Shop in Ferry Meadows, free of charge (donations welcome). In addition to our three mobility scooters, we also have two new Mountain Trike all-terrain wheelchairs available to hire. To find out more about the Mountain Trikes please see below. Step by step guide to borrowing a Mountain Trike or mobility scooter: It is advisable to book a time slot in advance to ensure that your chosen Mountain Trike or mobility scooter is available for when you want to use it. Please call Visitor Services on 01733 234193 or email [email protected] to reserve your chosen date and time. Visitors can use a Mountain Trike or mobility scooter for up to 2 hours from 9.15am - 5.30pm every day April – October and 9.15am – 4:00pm every day except Christmas Day November – March. Come to the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows and show your ID to borrow a Mountain Trike. Our friendly Visitor Centre staff will get your Mountain Trike or mobility scooter ready for you. If it is your first time using one, you will be given a full induction on how to operate the vehicle. For the self-propelled Mountain Trike please be aware that the steering and braking is right hand controlled and that it is advisable to wear a bicycle helmet. Please bring your own. When you have finished with your Mountain Trike or mobility scooter, please return it to the Visitor Centre and come inside and let our staff know. Please make a donation for using this service. The all-terrain wheelchairs have been provided to Ferry Meadows through a generous donation and will sit alongside the extremely popular mobility scooter loan service the Park already offers. This service is made possible through continued donations from users and supporters, alongside other fundraising efforts. Thank you! Mountain Trikes are all-terrain manual wheelchairs. Visitors can choose between: The Mountain Trike, lever drive all terrain wheelchair which allows the user to independently propel, steer and apply the hydraulic brakes whilst maintaining clean, dry hands The MT Push all terrain attendant wheelchair which has a push handle located behind the rider where the steering and braking takes place by the rider’s buddy. This is suited for riders who aren’t able to self-propel but still want to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Please note that all riders must be able to self-transfer into and out of the trikes and the maximum rider weight is 100kg / 16 stone.
Accessibility welcome to Ferry Meadows Expand Visitor Centre, Gift and Farm shop 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. A hearing loop is available at the till, as shown by the T and ear symbol sign. Guides to the Park are available from the Visitor Centre, Gift and Farm shop. Please speak to our friendly team about hiring a mobility scooter, All Terrain wheelchair. Please visit our Visitor Centre, Gift and Farm shop 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. Please note we are a cashless centre and accept card or contactless payments only. 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 working alongside Alzheimer’s Society to be more dementia inclusive. As part of this 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.
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. Please be aware of the presence of livestock around the park. Mobility scooters and Mountain Trikes 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 two Mountain Trikes to help visitors with access needs explore the park. For full details on how to borrow a mobility scooter or Mountain Trike, please see our dedicated section on Hiring a mobility scooters or Mountain Trike. 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 at Ferry Meadows page for details of charges and membership options, including our Essential Companions parking membership scheme. Please be aware that there is a height restriction barrier of 2.1 metres. 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. Park Code For information on how to enjoy this area of Nene Park, please see our Park Code. We also have a text only version. 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.
Getting around Ferry Meadows Expand Path gradients and surfaces Ferry Meadows Country Park is a natural landscape and paths are made up of various surfaces which may be uneven in places. Paths around the main areas of the Park are hard surfaced (a mixture of tarmac, bound gravel, crushed limestone and compacted stone), generally of a minimum width of two meters, with a good contrast to the surroundings, reasonably level and at a safe distance from open water. They are shared routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and in some circumstances horse riders. There are a few steep sections along the pathways within the Park notably at Ham Bridge, Milton Ferry Bridge, Lynch Farm Bridge and within Bluebell Wood. Please note the paths in Bluebell Wood are particularly uneven being made up of compacted stone and have steep sections. The Riverside Walk is mainly made up of a boardwalk and there are sections of uneven ground at both ends of the boardwalk making it unsuitable for wheeled vehicle access (e.g. bikes, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, scooters etc). Please refer to the Ferry Meadows map for more detail of the path network including steep and unsurfaced sections or contact us for more information. Seating There are many benches and picnic tables spaced out around all of the lakes, between the car park and Lynch Lake, near the Visitor Centre and Ferry Meadows Café and along the River Nene near the wildlife hides. Benches and picnic tables are mostly situated on grassy areas a short distance away from the paths. Information To help with navigation whilst at the Park, an RNIB Map for All (a map designed to be read by sight and touch) is located outside the Discovery Den Education Centre and Lakeside.
Facilities and services at Ferry Meadows Expand Toilets There are two public toilet blocks within the Park, one next to the Discovery Den and one alongside the car park at Lakeside. There is an accessible toilet at each block which includes the baby changing facility. These toilets are opened and locked with the opening hours of the Park. Toilets are also provided for customers at Lakeside Kitchen & Bar, Nene Outdoors, and Ferry Meadows Café with separate accessible toilets at each location. At Ferry Meadows cafe and Lakeside Kitchen & Bar there is also a dedicated accessible baby changing facility, which can also be used as a quiet space. 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. Food & drink The Park has a range of options for food and drink during your visit. Contact details, opening times and other information can be found on our Where to eat page. Lakeside Kitchen & Bar The Lakeside building has stepped and ramped access from the pathways opposite the car park to the main entrance which has automatic sliding doors. The main counter is at a lower level and hearing loops are available at the main and bar counters as shown by the T and ear symbol sign. There is also a room loop within the furthest section of the seating area which can be separated off for functions. Covered outdoor seating, heated with a woodburner, is provided welcoming all dogs, however assistance dogs are welcome throughout. Lakeside Kitchen & Bar offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. If you have any dietary requirements please speak to the café staff. Ferry Meadows Café The main entrance is set back from the main pathway at the rear of the covered seating area. This is a paved area that includes moveable outdoor tables and chairs with a slight slope up to the power-assisted push button opening double-doors with the push button to the left of the doorway. On warmer, still days the doors are held open but may be closed on colder, windier days. A drinking water tap is fitted to the outside wall, to the left of the main entrance, for all visitors to access for water bottle top ups using a push button at approximately 137cm from the floor. The toilets and baby changing facility can be found to the left of the entrance lobby and the café to the right through a power-assisted, push button opening door with the push button to the left of the doorway. The main counter is at a lower level and a hearing loop is available at the till as shown by the T and ear symbol sign. Ferry Meadows Café offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. If you have any dietary requirements please speak to the café staff. BBQs Fixed BBQ stands are available on the grass bank on the opposite side of the path to the public moorings on Overton Lake, along the edge of the Coach Car Park and next to the play area at Lakeside on a first come, first served basis. A number of picnic tables in the Park also have pull out trays on the end for holding disposable BBQs. Picnics With a vast area of meadow land and good numbers of accessible picnic tables, Ferry Meadows is the perfect place to bring a picnic. Play Areas Ferry Meadows has three play areas providing a range of equipment and surfacing, creating different experiences for a variety of ages, abilities and interests: Otter Play AreaLocated next to Ferry Meadows Café and designed with younger children in mind, this fenced play area incorporates natural features such as sand, water, rocks and trees. A small wide slide, cradle seat swings and small raised platform with log tunnel underneath are all set into sand. A concrete path with self closing access gates from the paved seating area next to Ferry Meadows Café takes visitors through the play area and rejoins the main path opposite the boat trip and duck feeding platforms via large flat paving stones set in the grass. Seating is provided in the sand area set slightly back from the concrete path. Badger Play AreaLocated along the pathway between the Visitor Centre and Ham Bridge, this unfenced play area utilises the neighbouring wooded area for den building and exploration along with created swales (a series of mounds and ditches designed to collect water) with accessible crossing points to bring nature into play. The built play structures include climbing towers, raised tunnels to tube slide, swings including basket swing and in-ground trampoline. These are situated in areas of bark chippings with a limestone path through the built play area linking to the main footpath. Fox Play AreaLocated between Lakeside car park and the miniature railway station, this unfenced play area is the biggest of our play areas, aimed at slightly older children, but offers play opportunities for a wide range of ages and abilities. Natural sensory materials such as water, sand, stone and wood are used throughout the playground. The built play structures situated in grass include a climbing tower and crawling net, climbing net, a double zip line, a 6-tyre swing set, a balance beam, toddler and upright bucket seat swings, and a tunnel. A climbing rock stack, four seater seesaw, and bouncing buoys are all set in sand. The water forest is set in concrete with a seesaw pump and a hand pump that is at child and seated height.Fox Play has a limestone path throughout which connects to the wheelchair accessible wobbly bridge and towards the top of the wide embankment slide before a final section of wooden steps take you to a wooden platform at the top of the slide. The bottom of the slide is set in sand. The limestone path also connects into the wider path network of the Park and the miniature railway station.A range of seating is provided with some alongside the limestone path and concrete surface. Fox Play is close to Lakeside car park and toilets, including the accessible changing facility at Nene Outdoors.Please visit our Play Areas page for more general information and images of the play areas or contact us. Nene Outdoors Nene Outdoors runs various water and land based events for a range of ages and abilities from the Lakeside centre. Please note we are a cashless centre and accept card or contactless payments only. The Lakeside building has stepped and ramped access from the pathways opposite the car park. Please visit our Nene Outdoors page for details of activities and contacts to discuss any specific access requirements. Campsite There are two campsites available for general public use at Ferry Meadows. They are both located near to Nene Outdoors (see Ferry Meadows map for location) where access to toilets and shower facilities are provided, including an accessible changing facility (see the Facilities and Services at Ferry Meadows section for more details of the accessibility of toilets and Nene Outdoors). Parking for both campsites is at Lakeside car park but vehicle access for dropping off and collecting equipment is permitted. Benches, fixed bbq stands, fire pit, wash stations with sinks attached to a wooden frame at approximately 1m high and a drinking water tap at approximately 1m high are available on both sites to be shared by campers. Dogs are welcome at both campsites. Please be aware both campsites are located next to Gunwade Lake with direct access to the water’s edge. Lakeview This area is home to 8 pre-erected bell tents on grass area and a permanent covered weather shelter which has a raised concrete floor with concrete slope entrance. Each tent is set on a raised wooden decking platform creating a step from the surrounding grass surface. The tents sleep up to 6 people and are furnished with just floor matting and LED lighting. The Glade This is our pitch only campsite, closest to Nene Outdoors, and is a grass area. Please visit our Campsite page for details and contact us to discuss any specific access requirements. Duck feeding The duck feeding platform is located near to the Visitor Centre. A sloped path leads down to the platform which is a wooden decked, metal framed platform on floats to enable it to move with the water level. Wooden handrails surround the platform which forms a T shape over the water. The duck feeding area is on the right hand side of the T and boat trips operate from the centre through a gate which is locked shut when the boat is out on the water or when trips are not operating. The left hand side of the T is for staff access only with a locked gate in place across this section. We encourage the safe and healthy feeding of birds in the Park so please only feed the ducks and geese pellets available from the 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. Educational facilities From the Discovery Den Education Centre at Ferry Meadows we offer a range of educational activities. The room is level access and has an accessible toilet. This facility is also used to host a range of family friendly events and activities. See our Education pages for details of the offer for schools and groups. Lynch Lake Community Hub The Hub is located 400 metres from the Visitor Centre car park along surfaced paths. It is used for a range of activities and is available for public hire offering a unique accessible space for small group meetings and events. The room is accessible via a ramp to the front door and there is an accessible toilet. There is a washbasin at approximately 887mm from the floor in the main space for washing equipment and materials. A drinking water tap is fitted to the outside wall for all visitors to access for water bottle top ups using a push button at approximately 137cm from the floor. Two picnic tables can be found in the grass area near the building including a wheelchair accessible picnic table linked to the main footpath via a short tarmac path. See our venue hire pages for more details.
Things to do at Ferry Meadows Expand Cycling Many of the pathways around Ferry Meadows are shared with cyclists and some waymarking is provided for suggested cycle routes. General details about cycling at Ferry Meadows can be found on our cycling page. We offer cycle hire from our base at Nene Outdoors with a wide range of bikes for all the family. Please note we are a cashless centre and accept card or contactless payments only. Prebook your bikes online. Boat Trips Boat trips operate from the jetty located near the Visitor Centre, which is also the duck feeding platform. A sloped path leads down to the platform which is a wooden-decked, metal-framed platform on floats to enable it to move with the water level. Wooden handrails surround the platform which forms a T shape over the water. The duck feeding area is on the right hand side of the T and the boat trips operate from the centre through a gate which is locked shut when the boat is out on the water or when trips are not operating. The left hand side of the T is for staff access only with a locked gate in place across this section. There is stepped access onto the boat however a boarding ramp onto a hydraulic platform, enabling up to two wheelchair users on board at any time, is available but must be arranged in advance with Nene Outdoors. The boat is electric powered and is near silent when running. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, which we recommend to guarantee availability. However, tickets can also be purchased at the boat itself and from the Nene Outdoors reception, next to Gunwade Lake when we are not fully booked. Please note we are a cashless centre and accept card or contactless payment only. Please visit our Take a Boat Trip page for details of the boat trips and contact details to discuss any specific access requirements and to book wheelchair access. Ferry Meadows Miniature Railway The miniature railway provides a coach designed to take wheelchairs. For further details and contact information visit our Ferry Meadows Railway page. Fishing There are two designated accessible fishing stands on the east side of Gunwade Lake, near to the Lakeside car park. There is a concrete ramp with metal handrails either side, leading from the main path, to the concrete stands which are designed to accommodate one wheelchair user each. Fishing rights at Ferry 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. For further details about riding in Nene Park and contact information visit our ride a horse page. Wildlife Watching Nene Park Trust has created a number of opportunities for visitors to take time to experience and enjoy the nature of the Park: Wildlife hides There are two bird hides in Ferry Meadows overlooking Ham Mere; Teal and Heron Hides. The two hides have short gently sloping surfaced paths from the main footpath that lead to openings into the small basic block structures. Alongside these paths there is wooden post and rail fencing. Inside are a series of basic, ground fixed benches in front of openings in the wall for viewing. Each opening has a wall mounted shelf underneath. One viewing opening is extended to a lower level, with a lower level shelf and no bench to allow for wheelchair and other access. Due to the limited internal space Nene Park Trust mobility scooters cannot be used in the wildlife hides. The hides may not be suitable for all private wheelchairs or mobility aids. Please assess this for your individual situation before entering and contact us in advance of your visit if you would like more details about the hides. Viewing platforms There are three raised wooden viewing platforms at Ferry Meadows – two overlooking Heron Meadow and one overlooking Goldie Meadow. All three are accessed via a surfaced path from the main tarmac footpath onto a short, gentle sloping decked walkway which opens out onto a small viewing area. Wooden handrails surround the wooden walkway and viewing area. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome onto the viewing platforms. The decked walkway is approximately 1300mm in width with the viewing platform at the end opening to an approximate size of 2800mm x 2700mm. Please assess the access for your individual situation before going onto the structure and contact us in advance of your visit if you would like more details about the viewing platforms. For more information on wildlife watching at Ferry Meadows see our Bird Watch and Seasonal Nature Highlights pages. For locations of the wildlife hides and viewing platforms see our map of Ferry Meadows. Nene Bowmen As a long established archery club that uses an area on Oak Meadow near to the Lakeside car park for their outdoor shooting, Nene Bowmen offers archers of all abilities, including those brand new to the sport, the opportunity to shoot in a friendly environment. For further details and contact information visit our clubs page. Packers Canoe Club Peterborough’s canoe club meet at Lakeside throughout the summer months. For further details and contact information visit our clubs 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 Coney Meadow which is just off of the main car park. For further details and contact information visit our clubs page. Peterborough Sailability Providing sailing opportunities for disabled people from the Lakeside. For further details and contact information visit our clubs page.
Events at Ferry Meadows Expand Ferry Meadows 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. 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 Watersports and Activity Centre, please contact Nene Outdoors on 01733 234193 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. Volunteer Hub The Volunteer Hub is the base for many of the volunteering activities at Ferry Meadows and on occasions is used for other public events. The room is situated next to the Visitor Centre and is accessed via a separate lever handle double door, into a small lobby. There is level access into and throughout the Volunteer Hub. Two unisex toilets, including an accessible facility, are located off the entrance lobby and are shown with tactile signage. The entrance into the Volunteer Hub is on the left hand side of the lobby through a lever handle double door. Inside is a range of seating and tables that can be arranged in a flexible way and a small kitchenette, with a lowered worktop and a section for knee space for wheelchair users, can be accessed through a lever door in the corner of the room. The Volunteer Hub has its own hearing induction loop. On the far wall to the right as you enter the room, are push bar double doors that open out into the Wildlife Garden. There is a small slope to the threshold on both the inside and outside of the doors.
Feedback on your visit to Ferry 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 Visitor Centre Provide feedback online through TripAdvisor Join our Access Forum or Volunteers to become more involved in the development of the Park.