Five free ways to stay active in the Park this summer

17/07/26 – Joanna Bacon, Marketing Manager

With six weeks of summer stretching ahead, now’s the perfect time to start planning days out that get everyone outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and making the most of the sunshine. Finding activities that are fun, active and affordable can be a challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep screen time to a minimum.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great day out. Here are five free ways to get active and make the most of Nene Park this summer.

1. Follow our walks and trails

With beautiful woodlands, wildflower meadows, lakes, the River Nene and miles of scenic paths, Nene Park is made for exploring on foot. Pick up a map from Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre and discover a route to suit you.

Choose from:

• Ham Mere Trail – 2.5km (around 40 minutes)
• Wildflower Trail – 2.5km (around 40 minutes)
• Bluebell Trail – 4km (around 1 hour)
• Gunwade Trail – 4km (around 1 hour)

Turn your stroll into an adventure for younger children with a scavenger hunt, a game of I-Spy or some wildlife spotting with a pair of binoculars. Don’t forget to pack a picnic so you can stop and enjoy the views along the way.

If you’d like to uncover more of the Park’s history, discover our Walking in Time series. These four self-guided walks explore the heritage of Nene Park and the landscape of the lower Nene Valley, west of Peterborough. Trail leaflets are available from Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre or can be viewed here, complete with interactive maps. Could you complete all four walks before the end of the summer holidays?

2. Explore the Park on two wheels

Cycling is one of the best ways to experience Nene Park. Whether you’re enjoying a gentle family ride or covering a few more miles, you’ll find peaceful woodland paths, beautiful lakeside views and plenty of safe, traffic-free routes.

There are two waymarked cycle trails to choose from:

• The Family Trail – follow the blue markers on this 4-mile (6.4km) circular route through Ferry Meadows, starting at Lakeside. Perfect for families and leisurely rides.
• The Boathouse Trail – Follow the blue and red markers on this 7.5-mile (12km) circular route through Ferry Meadows and the wider Nene Park. Ideal if you’re looking for a longer adventure.

If your family loves getting out on bikes, why not take part in our Big Summer Cycling Challenge? It’s free to sign up and open to cyclists of all ages. Set yourself a distance goal, enjoy rides throughout the summer and help raise money to support Nene Park Trust at the same time. Click here to find out more and sign up.

3. Join a free wildlife workshop

Our free wildlife workshops are back for the summer holidays, giving families the chance to get hands-on with nature. There’s no need to book, just turn up and join in.

• Pond Dipping – 23 & 28 July, and 19 August | 12pm–3pm
  Discover the fascinating world beneath the surface of Lynch Lake. Grab a net and see what incredible creatures you can find living in the water.
  
• Bug Hunt at Thorpe Meadows – 24 July & 24 August | 11am–2pm
  Join us on a minibeast adventure as we search for bugs, beetles and other tiny creatures hiding in the Park.
  
• Nature Crafts Workshop – 30 July | 11am–2pm
  Get creative using natural materials and take home your own handmade masterpiece.

These drop-in sessions are suitable for all ages and are a fantastic way to spend time together, discover wildlife and enjoy the outdoors. See our summer guide for all the details.

4. Enjoy games on the meadows

With acres of open green space, Ferry Meadows is the perfect place to meet up with family and friends for a few hours of outdoor fun. Bring a football, cricket set or rounders bat, fly a kite or simply enjoy a game together on the grass. There’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out and play.

After all that activity, don’t forget to top up your water bottle at one of our free refill stations, located at the Welcome Area, Visitor Centre and Lynch Lake Community Hub.

5. Relax with free Yoga and Tai Chi

If you’re looking for something a little more gentle, the Park is also a wonderful place to slow down and recharge.

Free Tai Chi sessions, hosted by the Chinese Community in Peterborough, take place every Saturday from 10.30am to 12pm on Coney Meadow, behind Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre, until 26 September. The easy-to-follow movements make it suitable for all ages and abilities, helping to improve balance, reduce stress and support overall wellbeing. Just come along and give it a try.

You can also join our Rise and Shine yoga sessions every Sunday from 9am to 10am until 20 September at Roman Point, overlooking the peaceful Overton Lake. These welcoming outdoor classes are suitable for all abilities and bodies, with no booking required.

Visit our events page for full details of both sessions.

Save on travel this summer

Thanks to the Government’s Summer Savings campaign, children aged 5–15 can travel free on local bus services in England throughout August, making getting to the Park even more pocket friendly! There are bus stops within walking distance of Ferry Meadows on Oundle Road and Wistow Way, both around a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre. For the latest public transport information, visit the Traveline website.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Ferry Meadows this summer. Whether you’re exploring a new trail, spotting wildlife, cycling through the Park or simply enjoying time together outdoors, there’s something for everyone to discover.