There is plenty to keep all the family entertained at Nene Park over the Half Term holiday break. From our holiday trail and our wildlife boat trip to our archery, climbing and watersports activities, there is something on every day in the Park from 28th May to 5th June.
For nature loving kids we have our Magical Mammals and Marvellous Mini-beasts event and our drop-in pond dipping sessions. For water sports enthusiasts, we have RYA Youth sailing courses as well as our daily Pay and Play paddle sport hire. We will also be running daily passenger boat trips and cycle hire throughout the holidays.
Or why not just come to the Park and enjoy exploring the meadows, woodland and lakes on foot or by bike, visit one of our play areas, stop off at one of our cafés or explore our newly refurbished Visitor Centre, Gift and Farm shop.
Please go to www.nenepark.org.uk/events to find out more and to book in advance for any of our specific events and activities.
Watersports and Adventure Activities
Pay & Play Watersports: Daily 11am-6.30pm
Make a splash with our ‘Pay and Play’ watersports, available daily during the May half term break from 11am to 6.30pm (10am at weekends) Activities include swan 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 Half term! Our 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 our campsites and facilities, please visit www.nenepark.org.uk/camping.
Passenger Boat Trips: Daily 11am-3.30pm
Enjoy a tranquil trip around Overton Lake and onto the River Nene on our electrically-powered passenger boat. The 45 minute pre-bookable trips will depart daily from the Visitor Centre Jetty at 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm. Suitable for all ages, it’s £8 per person, free for under 3s.
Cycle Hire: Daily 11am-5pm
Hire a bike from Nene Outdoors and discover miles of traffic-free cycling paths, lakeside trails and woodland routes in the Park. Cycle hire is available daily during the May half term break from 11am to 5pm.
Archery: Tuesday 31st May 11am-3.30pm
Unleash your inner Robin Hood! Our archery sessions are 45 minutes long and take place on Oak Meadow close to Nene Outdoors. Sessions are £10 per person and suitable for ages 8 and over. Booking essential.
Climbing Wall: Thursday 2nd June 11am-3.30pm
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 £10 per person. Booking essential
Family Fun and Nature events
Jubilee-themed Holiday Trail: Daily from 28th May – 5th June 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 to grow at home!
Family Wildlife Boat Trip: Monday 30th May 10.30am-12pm
Join us on a trip around Overton Lake and along the River Nene where swans, geese and other water fowl will glide alongside the boat. We cannot guarantee what you will see but wildlife highlights may include herons, kingfishers and the elusive otter! Trips last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and a member of our knowledgeable team will help you learn more about the wildlife you see. Use a spotter sheet to learn the names of birds that you see too. Suitable for 4 yrs+. Cost is £14 per person. Booking essential.
Free Mural Art Workshops: Tuesday 31st May and Wednesday 1st June 10.30am-1pm and 2-4.30pm
Join artists Nikki Goldup and Keith Hopewell at Orton Mere for a free art workshop and get involved in mural painting, printmaking and other creative activities, as part of new outdoor artworks ‘Jubilation’ under Longthorpe Parkway, celebrating young people in Peterborough and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Booking essential.
Meeting Magical Mammals and Marvellous Mini-beasts: Wednesday 1st June 9.30am-12pm
Join a ranger for a short walk discovering the small mammals that live in the Park. We will hopefully see voles, mice and shrews as well as talk about their habitat, diet and identifying features. Then we will have a look for mini-beasts on a bug hunt. Suitable for 5 yrs+. £8 per person. Booking essential.
Pond Dipping: Wednesday 1st June 12pm-3pm
Come along to our drop-in session and spend some time pond dipping and identifying the fascinating creatures you find. There may be a wait on the day due to the number of people attending. Suitable for 3 yrs+. Free – donations welcome.
Visit Longthorpe Tower: Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4.30pm
Visit Longthorpe Tower, the 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. Book your 1-hour tour with our knowledgeable volunteers between 10am – 4.30pm at weekends.
Jubilation Artwork Launch: Monday 6th June 5-7pm
Come along to the launch of the new JUBILATION artworks in Nene Park under Longthorpe Parkway, Orton Mere. Developed by artists Nikki Goldup and Keith Hopewell in collaboration with young people in Peterborough to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Sailing courses at Nene Outdoors
Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 1: Monday 30th May and Tuesday 31st May 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, £166 per person.
Youth RYA Sailing – Stage 2: Wednesday 1st June – Thursday 2nd June 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, £166 per person.
