Where to eat

Ferry Meadows Café

People in a cafe Hot meals, snacks and drinks in a beautiful location overlooking Overton Lake next to the Visitor Centre. Open daily for breakfast.

Opening hours:

Summer:

9am-5pm Monday to Friday

8am-6pm Saturdays

9am-6pm Sundays

9am-6pm in School holidays

Winter:

9am-4pm (Monday to Friday)

9am-5pm (weekends)

All opening hours are subject to weather conditions.

For more information on our cafe and menu choices please visit the Ferry Meadows Café web page.

To contact the café, call 01733 234493 or email [email protected]

There is also now a Pizza van outside the cafe offering woodfired pizzas Friday-Sunday 12pm-5pm and everyday in the school holidays - weather permitting.

Lakeside Kitchen & Bar

serving food at the Lakeside cafe Lakeside Kitchen & Bar focuses on popular dining out favourites featuring local producers and suppliers, complemented by a range of hot and cold soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

The beautiful surroundings make this the perfect place to host an event, have a great meal or simply to stop off for a coffee and cake while you are walking your dogs in the Park.

Opening hours:

Summer:

9am-5pm Monday to Friday

8.30am-6pm Weekends

9am-6pm - School holidays

Winter:

9am-4pm (Monday to Friday)

9am-5pm (weekends)

All opening hours are subject to weather conditions.

For more information on our cafe and menu choices, please visit the Lakeside Kitchen & Bar website or call them on 01733 233218

Picnics and BBQs

Family having a BBQ in the park In Ferry Meadows there are a number of permanent BBQ stands around the Park, which operate on a first-come-first-served basis. You may bring your own portable BBQ if it is off the ground and not placed directly onto the ground, picnic tables or benches. Some benches do have BBQ trays fitted.

Please note that disposable and gas fired BBQs are not permitted.

Visit our onsite Farm Shop inside the Visitor Centre to discover our range of picnic and BBQ items, catering for families and visitors who wish to extend their visit at the Park. You can even pick up charcoal in store!

For more information download our BBQ and Picnics Information Leaflet.

If planning a BBQ or picnic for a large group (20 people or more) it will need to be authorised by Nene Park Trust as there may be other activities or events taking place at the same time. For enquiries and bookings please email [email protected] or call us on 01733 234193.

Food and Drink nearby

In addition to the dining options within Ferry Meadows, there are a number of eateries and pubs across Nene Park that offer the chance to take a break and enjoy some delicious food during your visit. These can be found from the Rural Estate of Castor to Thorpe Meadows near Peterborough City Centre.

The Woodman, Thorpe Wood

The Boathouse, Thorpe Meadows

The Granary, Orton Meadows

The Coffee House, Castor

The Chubby Castor restaurant

The Prince of Wales pub, Castor

Latest

Magical Winter Festival open!

Friday 1st December saw the opening evening of the first ever Nene Park Winter Festival, which will run until Christmas at Lakeside in Ferry Meadows. Sughra Ahmed, MD of Peterborough Cultural Alliance joined Nene Park Trust to cut the tinsel and officially launch the festival, which welcomed thousands of visitors over the opening weekend.
RYA Powerboat Level 2

Power boat training is a key skill to know how to operate a powered craft safely and appropriately. To do this you can attend a course with us to achieve an RYA Level 2 Power Boat Certificate. During this 2 day course at Nene Outdoors, you will be trained to drive and manoeuvre the craft in a safe and controlled way. Minimum Age 16yrs
New reed bed habitat creation for Gunwade Lake

Exciting new habitat creation work to start in January 2024, transforming a mound of earth into a new reed bed in Gunwade Lake.
Adult beginners Easter fused glass workshop

Join June from Semperart at this Adult beginners workshop to make your own unique fused glass. You will make 2 Easter Egg shaped pieces: one small and one large. There are two workshops today at 10:30 and 13:30

Things to do

There are so many things to do in and around Nene Park. From walking and cycling to bird watching and fishing, there's something for everyone here.
Sustainable travel to Nene Park

Sustainable transport refers to any means of ‘green’ transportation that has very minimal impact on the environment, whilst still supporting the mobility needs of the community. Find out which green travel options are the best way for you to visit Nene Park.
Find us

Find the different areas of Nene Park using these maps and directions.
Parking

Information on the different car parks across Nene Park.
Dogs at Nene Park

Nene Park is the perfect destination to treat your dog to a great day out.
Park Accessibility

Find out how Nene Park caters for specific accessibility needs with accessible toilets and changing room, mobility scooters on loan and more.
Shops & Visitor Centre

Ideally situated in Ferry Meadows, you'll find our Visitor Centre, Gift & Farm Shop and the Nene Outdoors store. You can also shop online! Discover more about the exciting products and ranges you can expect to find in each location.
Where to stay

There are plenty of options for places to stay close to Nene Park so that you can make your visit more than just a day trip.
Activities not permitted

Some activities are not permitted in the Park due to the risk and potential nuisance they may cause to other visitors and wildlife. Find out more by clicking on the link above.
Share your feedback

Let us know about your visit to Nene Park by filling in a quick survey.

Ferry Meadows

Ferry Meadows is the ideal place for a family day out and one of the largest country parks in the region. Situated less than three miles from Peterborough city centre, at the heart of Nene Park, its varied landscapes make it the favourite destination for thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Water Pay & Play Activities

At Nene Outdoors, we run a ‘Pay and Play’ scheme, providing visitors of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to enjoy the watersports we have on offer. Book for half hour sessions on line or for one hour, book two consecutive time slots, hire our equipment and use our facilities.
Parking charges at Ferry Meadows
Peterborough Celebrates Festival

Taking place in Ferry Meadows across the weekend of 19th - 21st May, the Peterborough Celebrates Festival is a free to attend, family-orientated festival that will bring communities together and celebrate everything that defines our fantastic city.
Take a boat trip

Enjoy a relaxing boat trip around Overton Lake on 'Wyndham', our new electrically powered passenger boat, and discover more about our new passenger cruises and private hire services.
Play areas

Nene Park is a great place to play. Games on the meadows, adventures in the woodlands and three great play areas within Ferry Meadows to cater for all ages.
Six Weeks of Summer at Nene Park

From Saturday 22 July, you'll find exciting activities and events running for the six weeks of school summer holidays in the Park! Find out what’s happening and when, with our Six Weeks of Summer guide.
Guide to Christmas at Ferry Meadows

Alongside our ice rink, Park visitors will find a mini Christmas market, vintage fun fair and free Christmas craft activities for children, with twinkling lights and festive garlands creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Click to find out more.
Camping at Nene Outdoors

Book a bell tent or pitch-only camping trip to Nene Park! Our campsites are small but perfectly formed, located in Ferry Meadows on the edge of Gunwade Lake, they have stunning views across the water and are discreetly tucked away from the bustle of the rest of the Park.
How does the car park system at Ferry Meadows work?