There is plenty to keep all the family entertained at Nene Park over the Easter holiday break. From the ever-popular Easter egg hunt and holiday trail to the archery and climbing sessions there is something on every day in the Park from 1st to 16th April.
For nature lovers, the Meeting Magical Mammals and Marvellous Minibeasts workshop returns, as well as Pond Dipping and Charming Worms events. For outdoor adventurers, there are a number of sailing courses for both children and adults as well as Pay and Play paddle sport hire. The campsites on the shore of Gunwade Lake will be open for the season and there will also be daily passenger boat trips throughout the holidays. For arts and crafts enthusiasts, join the fused-glass or Field of Colour workshops.
Or why not just come to the Park and enjoy exploring the meadows, woodlands and lakes on foot or by bike, visit one of the play areas and Gift and Farm Shop or stop off at one of the cafés.
Please go to www.nenepark.org.uk/events to find out more and to book in advance for any of these specific events and activities.
Watersports and adventure activities
Pay & Play Watersports
Make a splash with the ‘Pay and Play’ watersports, available daily during the Easter break from 11am to 5pm. Activities include swan and pedalos and row boats, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, dinghies and windsurfing. Book online to avoid the queues on busy days!
Book a camping trip!
Enjoy a night or more under canvas on the peaceful banks of Gunwade Lake this Easter! Nene Park’s two campsites, The Glade and Lakeview, are perfect for families and offer visitors the choice of a pitch-only camping and bell tent hire on an individual or group booking basis. Located in the heart of Ferry Meadows, both campsites are ideally situated to take advantage of all the exciting activities on offer at Nene Outdoors. To find out more about the campsites and facilities, please visit www.nenepark.org.uk/camping.
Passenger Boat Trips
Enjoy a tranquil trip around Overton Lake and onto the River Nene on Wyndham, the electrically-powered passenger boat. The 45-minute pre-bookable trips will depart daily from the Visitor Centre Jetty at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm. Suitable for all ages, it’s £9 per person, free for under 3s and wheelchair spaces are available. Book your boat trip.
Climbing Wall: Tuesday 4th April 11am-3pm
The climbing wall will be back at Nene Outdoors, with sessions running throughout the day. Great fun for both adults and children age 4 and over, who will reach the top first? Sessions are £12 per person. Book your session.
Archery: Thursday 13th April 11am-3pm
Unleash your inner Robin Hood! Archery sessions are 45-minutes long and take place on Oak Meadow close to Nene Outdoors. Sessions are £12 per person and suitable for ages 8 and over. Book your session.
Family fun & nature events
Holiday Trail: Daily from 10am to 4pm
Collect a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for just £1 and then hunt for questions as you walk around Ferry Meadows. Return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize of sunflower seeds to grow at home!
Social Walking Group: Monday 3rd April 10.30am-12pm
Not sure where to go for a walk, or not keen on walking on your own? Join one of Nene Park’s Visitor Rangers for a social walk around Ferry Meadows and the wider Nene Park and meet like-minded people. This month the walk is the Two Woods Walk. This event is free to attend and suitable for ages 14 and over. Book your place.
History Boat Trip: Tuesday 4th April 9.15am – 10.45am
Join a trip around Overton Lake and along the River Nene with ranger Matt, who will guide you with tales of the history of the River, how the Park was developed and of course the history of the iconic Milton Ferry Bridge, possibly the most photographed landmark within Nene Park. It’s £15 per person and suitable for ages 8 and over. Book your place.
Charming Worms: Tuesday 4th April 10.30am- 12pm and 1.30-3pm
Come along to find out more about these amazing wriggly creatures and have a go at charming them to the surface. See who can find the shortest and longest worm and then make a wormery to take home. This event is £5 per person and suitable for ages 2 and over. Book your place.
Meeting Magical Mammals and Marvellous Minibeasts: Wednesday 5th April 9.30am to 12pm
Join a ranger for a short walk discovering the small mammals that live in the Park. You will hopefully get to see voles, mice and shrews as well as talk about their habitat, diet and identifying features. Then you will have a look at the even smaller creatures that make their home at Ferry Meadows on a bug hunt. Suitable for children age 5 and over, it’s £9 per child. Book your place.
Ferry Meadows Easter Egg Hunt: Friday 7th and Saturday 8th April 10.30am-2.30pm
Can you help the Easter Bunny to find all the hidden Easter eggs? You will explore the Park looking for pictures that will lead you to your Easter egg prize at the end. It’s £10 per booking which includes 2 Easter egg prizes and is suitable for any age. Book your place.
Pond Dipping Session: Wednesday 12th April 12pm to 3pm
Come along to a drop in session at Lynch Lake and spend some time pond dipping and identifying the fascinating creatures you find. No need to book, this event is free to attend with donations welcomed.
Visit Longthorpe Tower: Weekends from Saturday 1st April
Longthorpe Tower is reopening to the public on the 1st April. Book your tickets to go and visit this surviving tower of a 14th century, three storey medieval fortified Manor House. It contains the finest set of medieval wall paintings in a domestic setting in Western Europe, giving a rare insight into the medieval mind.
Music, Art & Craft Workshops and Events
Music in the Park: Sunday 9th April 8:15am – 1pm
Pull up a chair and listen to the sounds of live music. Join two performances on Easter Sunday by Salvation Army Band a front of our Visitor Centre. Grab a coffee, sit down and relax at either 8:15am and 11am. Free event, donations welcome.
Children’s Fused Glass Workshop: Friday 14th April 10.30-11.15am and 11.45-12.30pm
Join June from Semperart at this workshop, especially for children to make their own unique fused glass. Suitable for children aged 7 to 13 years, it’s £15 per person. Book your place.
Teens Fused Glass Workshop: Friday 14th April 2-3pm.
Join June from Semperart at this workshop, especially for teenagers to design and make their own unique fused glass. Suitable for teens aged 13 to 17 years, it’s £18 per person. Book your place.
Field of Colour Workshops: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th April 9am – 3.30pm
Peterborough Celebrates Festival is back at Ferry Meadows for 2023 (19-21 May) and you are invited to get involved by making flowers that will create a vibrant celebratory ‘Field of Colour’. Come along to these free workshops and make flowers out of recycled plastic bottles to be displayed at the festival. Find out more.
Sailing Courses at Nene Outdoors
Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 1: Tuesday 11th April and Wednesday 12th April 9am-5pm
This two day course covers basic sailing skills, rope work and collision avoidance. After the course participants will be able to tack and control boat speed and understand basic principles. All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Suitable for 8-15 year olds, £182 per person. Book your place.
Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 2: Thursday 13th April – Friday 14th April 9am-5pm
This two day course covers launching and recovery, steering, parts of the boat and basic sailing. After the course participants will be able to steer and understand basic principles. All safety equipment, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided. Suitable for 8-15yr olds, £182 per person. Book your place.
