This October half-term, the Nene Park Autumn Festival returns to bring an exciting number of activities and events for all the family to enjoy.

The festival programme, detailed below, will be running from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, with daily Pay and Play watersports and cycle hire operating at Nene Outdoors, alongside autumnal art and crafts and outdoor adventure events. We are also delighted to announce that our brand-new Electric Boat will be available for group trips around Overton Lake during the Autumn Festival. You will be able to book boat trips and other events on our Events page.

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Running throughout the festival

Pay and Play watersports and cycle hire at Nene Outdoors, drop in between 11am and sunset to enjoy swan pedalo rides and kayak, canoe, row boat and stand-up paddleboard hire. Discover the range of bicycles available for hire and explore the wider Park!

Our Holiday Trail will be running daily throughout the Autumn Festival week, collect a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre & Gift Shop and then hunt for questions as you walk around Ferry Meadows, remember to return to the Visitor Centre to collect your prize.

Download our virtual guided walk and enjoy the Park at your own pace, whilst enjoying the virtual commentary!

Online activities – a number of nature-themed discovery and craft activities will be available to download on our website for you to enjoy at home for the duration of the half-term break. Printed copies of our activity sheets will be available at the Visitor Centre & Gift Shop in Ferry Meadows for a small donation. 

Build a bat box – For a limited time only, bat box kits will be available to purchase from the Visitor Centre. Follow the instructions to build your bat box at home and then put it up at home!

Visit our artists in residence - Pop into the Lynch Lake Kiosk throughout the week to see what our Artists in Residence have been doing during their time in the Park. 

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Dates for your diary

Saturday 24 October: Join us for Scarecrow Making - book with your household or support bubble (maximum of 6 people) to make a scarecrow!  All materials are provided and the scarecrows will be used to decorate the Park for half term. You can also book to take part in an Art Workshop:Colourful Eco systems with our artists-in-residence - inspired by rangoli patterns and the wildlife of Nene Park. 

Sunday 25 October: Book a timed slot on this Art event: Not in my Gift, joining artist Caroline Wendling for an immersive reflective art experience in the Park

Monday 26 October: Take part in our Tree Hunt and Broomsticks event, hunt for the witch’s belongings in the trees and make your very own broomstick!  This event takes place in Bluebell Wood. Please book in advance with your household or support bubble, maximum of 4 people.

Tuesday 27 October: Our Tree Hunt and Broomsticks event continues, this time at Thorpe Meadows. Please book in advance with your household or support bubble, maximum of 4 people.

Wednesday 28 October: Learn a new skill with the Nene Outdoors team who will be running pre-bookable Archery Sessions throughout the day on Coney Meadow. Please book a session with your family group/support bubble. Maximum 6 people.

Thursday 29 October: Meeting Magical Mammals, watch our online video and then join the Facebook Live Q&A session with ranger Chris to find out even more about the small mammals that live in the Park. You can also book to take part in an Art Workshop: Colourful Eco systems with our artists-in-residence - inspired by rangoli patterns and the wildlife of Nene Park. 

Friday 30 October: Take part in our Tree Hunt and Broomsticks event which comes to Ferry Meadows, hunt for the witch’s belongings in the trees and make your very own broomstick! Please book in advance with your household or support bubble, maximum of 4 people.

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All events and activities have been carefully planned to meet Covid-19 safety standards.  Pre-booking will be essential for certain events through our website and group numbers have been reduced to ensure that social distancing can be maintained. Any changes to the events scheduled due to regulations changing will be detailed on our website.

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 during these unexpected and unprecedented times.