Ferry Meadows

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Ferry Meadows is the 200ha (500acre) Country Park at the heart of Nene Park. Its lakes, meadows, woodlands and riverside make it a favourite destination for many visitors throughout the year who enjoy the park simply for its accessible and attractive countryside setting. Other visitors enjoy the many activities and events that take place here. These are described on other pages in this section or see What's On.

Access Height Barrier
Please be aware that there is a 2.1 m height barrier across the entrance to Ferry Meadows. If you have a high vehicle or are towing one and require access to Ferry Meadows then please phone the duty ranger on the number displayed on the barrier. Please be aware, the barrier may be open when you arrive but may not be when you decide to leave. Please allow time for a member of staff to reach you, they may be some distance away. Your patience is appreciated. Please telephone 01733 234443 if you have any queries about accessing Ferry Meadows Country Park.

OS sheet 142 or Explorer 227: TL 145 975

For more information and contact numbers in Ferry Meadows download the Ferry Meadows Leaflet & Map from the link at the bottom of this page.

How to get here
Please see our Location Map

By Car
Ferry Meadows lies 3 miles west of Peterborough and just two miles east of the A1. On all major routes into the city, look for and follow the brown tourist attraction signs for NENE PARK
or the country park symbol.

Ferry Meadows is signed on Oundle Road (A605), see our maps. For sat nav or Web searches the post code for the Park is PE2 5UU, this will direct you to Ham Lane the entrance to Ferry Meadows. For high vehicles see Height barrier information below.

By Public Transport
For public transport information please use the link to the Traveline website. Service X14 operated by Stagecoach starts from Peterborough Queensgate Bus Station and stops at Orton Waterville, Oundle Road opposite Notcutts Garden Centre (Notcutts Garden centre is situated on Ham lane, the entrance road to Ferry Meadows).

By Nene Valley Railway
The Nene Valley Railway is one of the best known standard gauge steam preservation railways in the country and home to that very special engine, Thomas. The railway runs between Wansford and Peterborough through the length of Nene Park with two stations in Nene Park at Ferry Meadows and Orton Mere.
For information and timetables visit the NVR website.
Talking Timetable 01780 784404
Enquiries 01780 784444

By Boat
River cruisers can enter Ferry Meadows from the Nene into Overton Lake where there are free overnight (24 hour) moorings (sorry, no pumping out facilities available).

For information on the River Nene and navigation please see the Environment Agency’s website

Opening times
Ferry Meadows is open daily throughout the year. Vehicle access times vary throughout the year please check the times displayed on the barrier. The Park opens at 7am until dusk during the spring & summer and from 8.00am until sunset during the winter.
For current opening hours & charges click here

Facilities
Most of the Park facilities operate at weekends and on most days during school holidays from April 1 (or Easter if earlier) to the end of October. Some may be affected by weather so it is worth checking in advance with the operator before visiting to do specific activities.

Car Parking
Admission to the Park is free though a charge is made for car parking at weekends and Bank holidays from April 1 (or Easter if earlier) to the end of October. Parking is free at all times for blue badge holders. Bays for drivers with disabilities are located at the nearest point to the Visitor Centre (100m) and the Watersports Centre (30m) and close to the stands for disabled anglers.
For current opening hours & charges click here

Toilet Facilities
Public toilets are located adjacent to the main car park at the visitor centre and alongside the car park at the Watersports Centre. These are open during daylight hours daily throughout the year. Separate toilets for disabled people are located within both toilets buildings and in both cafes. Baby changing facilities are available within the disabled cubicle in both public toilet blocks and in the customer toilets in both cafes.

Footpaths/Cycleways
Most paths within the central area of Ferry Meadows bounded by the river and Nene Valley Railway are hard surfaced and suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs. There are surfaced paths to adjoining areas of the city and to Thorpe Meadows and the city centre to the east. West of Ferry Meadows there is a network of rural paths for the most part un-surfaced. The extensive network of all weather footpaths link Ferry Meadows with other parts of Nene Park, and with Green Wheel routes into and around the city.
For more information on Rambling & Walk click here or for Cycling click here
 

Visitor Centre and Shop
Our Visitor Centre has a display depicting the history and the wildlife of the park with a gift shop stocking a good selection of gifts & souvenirs. There is also a wide selection of information on the park as well as leaflets of other sites of interest and attractions in the area.

Visitor Centre Shop Opening Times are displayed on the Latest News and information page.
E-mail visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk

The John Horrell Room
The John Horrell Room at the Visitor Centre seats up to 40 people and makes an ideal venue for smaller meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The room has a hearing induction loop installed as well as audio visual facilities. Please contact the Visitor Services Officer to discuss hiring arrangements and your requirements.

Current charges information is available on the News & Information page Link or download a leaflet from our Resources area.

People with disabilities - How we can help
Ferry Meadows Country Park welcomes visitors with disabilities and our staff will do all they can to ensure that you enjoy your visit. If you need extra assistance staff will be happy to help where they can.

Access
All buildings and toilets in Ferry Meadows, including the bird watching hides overlooking the Nature Reserve, are accessible to wheelchairs. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.

Our site
Nene Park has some difficult terrain and topography with some steep slopes in Bluebell Wood that may present difficulties to visitors who use wheelchairs, those with restricted mobility or who are visually impaired. Most paths within the central area of Ferry Meadows, bounded by the river and Nene Valley Railway, are hard surfaced, relatively flat and suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs.

Mobility Scooters & Wheelchair Loan
Battery powered mobility scooters and push wheelchairs are available for visitors with limited mobility for use in Ferry Meadows. There is no charge for these but pre booking by telephone is advisable to ensure one will be available when you visit.

On weekday during office hours please telephone 01733 234443, at all other times contact the duty ranger mobile on 07860 308081.