Nene Park Trust
Photos of Nene Park Trust
What will students see and do?
Nene Park is a large area of parkland to the west of Peterborough and is the region’s favourite place to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
It is made up of six different areas, all made up of parkland, meadows, woodlands and lakes, with the River Nene running through all six.
Ferry Meadows is the ideal place for a day out, and is 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.
Thorpe Meadows is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at all times and is home to Nene Park’s purpose-built rowing lake, riverside walks and a sculpture collection.
Located at the main gateway to Ferry Meadows, Orton Meadows is home to Rutland Cycling Superstore, Nene Golf and Pitch & Putt as well as the Granary Pub, a Premier Inn and Notcutts Garden Centre.
Orton Mere connects Ferry Meadows to Thorpe Meadows and boasts lakes and open space for recreation. With an avenue of trees to guide your way, you could visit Orton Mere as an alternative gateway to the park.
Woodston Reach is a wooded area of Nene Park to the east of Orton Mere. It offers great opportunities for walking if you are looking for something a little bit quieter to the popular Ferry Meadows.
Found to the west of Ferry Meadows, the Rural Estate is a large agricultural landscape, which is steeped in history. Explore this area further and you’ll discover the unspoilt villages of Castor, Ailsworth and Sutton.
School groups can learn about the great outdoors via nature walks and adventure activities such as stand-up paddleboarding. You can also learn about the history of the location. If you prefer to lead your own visit, talk to the staff about hiring facilities and equipment or booking a self-led visit.
Nene Park is proud of the rich diversity of wildlife species, from otters, herons and kingfishers spotted along the river bank to the wide range of migrating birds that come to the restored wetland meadows and woodland wildflowers.
If you’re more interested in fun outdoor activities, Nene Outdoors runs various land and water activities for a range of ages and abilities from the lakeside centre. Students can take part in wall climbing, open-water swimming, archery, taking a boat trip, cycling, sailing, windsurfing, bushcraft, canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, pioneering, mountain biking, raft building and stand-up paddleboarding.
Those more interested in history can discover how land immediately north of the River Nene housed Roman pottery kilns, find the ancient remains of the Roman Longthorpe Fortress on the ridge of Thorpe Golf Course, and step over the Georgian Milton Ferry Bridge that is over 300 years old.
See the website for more Roman, Georgian and Victorian buildings to look out for on your visit.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
The team at the Discovery Den Education Centre offers a range of environmental education activities designed to tie in with national curriculum requirements at all levels.
Teachers can choose from a selection of themed days developed to target specific curriculum areas or, with the help of the knowledgeable staff, select from a wide range of activities to create a day tailored to individual requirements.
Likewise, the Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre offers a safe and fun environment to encourage learning away from the classroom, whilst focusing on specific curriculum subjects and developing interpersonal skills.
The experienced staff will work with you to identify your learning outcomes, then advise on selecting a range of activities to meet your specific learning objectives and the needs of your pupils.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
There are three resource packs available for self-led school visits, containing everything you need to hold an informative, interactive and immersive learning experience in the park with your pupils.
It’s £35 for one pack or £50 for two. Visit the website for more details on what each pack includes.
Minimum and maximum group size
There is a minimum booking requirement of 12 people for outdoor adventurous activities, and a maximum of 36 pupils for an environmental education day course.
Details of risk assessment
Nene Park Trust holds the Learning Outside The Classroom (LOTC) quality badge accreditation awarded by the council, meaning the education provision has passed a robust assessment designed to ensure it meets schools’ learning and risk management needs.
Moreover, the Nene Park Trust staff are committed to doing everything possible to ensure that your visit will be as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
The Discovery Den Education Centre at Ferry Meadows is available for a range of educational activities. The room is level access and has an accessible toilet.
The Park has a range of options for food and drink during your visit, and visitors can enjoy the Lakeside Kitchen & Bar and Ferry Meadows Café.
Each has separate accessible toilets and there is also a dedicated accessible baby changing facility at the Lakeside Kitchen & Bar.
Ferry Meadows has three play areas providing a range of equipment and surfacing, creating different experiences for a variety of ages, abilities and interests.
The Otter Play Area, located next to Ferry Meadows Café, is designed with younger children in mind, and incorporates natural features such as sand, water, rocks and trees. The Badger Play Area, located along the pathway between the Visitor Centre and Ham Bridge, utilises the neighbouring wooded area for den building and exploration. The Lakeside Play Area, located in the grass area near to the Lakeside car park, is a fenced play area with traditional play structures.
Opening times
Ferry Meadows is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists at all times.
Opening and last entry times for vehicle access from 26 March-30 October: 6:30am-10pm
Pricing
Prices for outdoor activities vary with group size, but are based on an average of £14 per head for three hours of activity. A minimum booking of 12 people applies.
Environmental Education day courses cost £170 for up to 36 pupils.
Travel arrangements
All car parks at Ferry Meadows are marked on the visitor map. The main one can be accessed by taking the third exit at the mini roundabout just beyond the entrance barrier.
The coach car park is just off the second exit. By taking the left exit at the mini roundabout, visitors can follow the road to the Lakeside Centre and car park.
Halfway along this route on the right is the overflow car park on Oak Meadow, which is opened during the busier summer months.
Book your school trip to Nene Park Trust
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
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