Ferry Meadows is a fantastic, family-friendly country park based in Peterborough. From food to water-sports and a mini railway there is plenty to keep everyone entertained. I’m very lucky to live so close by and along with my family and friends, I’ve spent many a long summers day here over the past 30 odd years. There are so many things not included in this list but here are some of the most popular things to do at Ferry Meadows.
Eating
Image courtesy of Lakeside Kitchen and Bar
With so many activities to do at the park, it’s natural that you’re going to start feeling a bit peckish sooner or later. If you’ve got a picnic with you there are plenty of park benches around and lots of green, open spaces. If it’s not quite the right weather for a picnic (or you just fancy having someone else cook for you for a change) then you could try the wonderful Lakeside Kitchen & Bar for a bite to eat. Overlooking Gunwade Lake, the Ferry Meadows restaurant offers lovely views, delicious food and great service. The venue is also available to rent for parties, weddings and more, go to www.lakesidekitchenandbar.com for more info.
Mini Railway
More reliable than real trains and definitely more fun, the mini railway has been a stalwart of Ferry Meadows since the park opened in 1978. The miniature trains run between March and October. You can check the full timetable here.
Duck Feeding
Ferry Meadows is home to countless animals, with foxes, kingfishers and even otters all having been spotted at the park at one time or another. Perhaps the most common animal visitors to the park, however, are ducks and geese. These feathery friends are always delighted to receive a bit of food from people. If you do feed the birds, try to avoid giving them bread – things like oats, corn or defrosted frozen peas tend to fit the bill better as they are closer to their natural diet.
Camping
One of the most popular family activities at the park is camping. Ferry Meadows has a great site, set near the main entrance. It is close by to many amenities and activities. Campers have access to washing up and showering facilities. Find out more here.
Barbecue
Ferry Meadows is the perfect place for a barbecue. During summer, the ever reliable Lakeside Kitchen & Bar provides a delicious barbecue menu featuring grilled burgers and sausages as well as some mouth-watering vegetarian options. Barbecues at the venue start at £17.50 per person. If you fancy cooking your own, Ferry Meadows has permanent barbecue stands by Coney Meadow Pond. These are free to use and do not need to be booked. You can also bring your own barbecue as long as they are off the ground and not placed directly on picnic tables or benches.
Water Sports
Ferry Meadows is home to three beautiful lakes – Gunwade, Lynch and Overton. On the water you can enjoy a variety of activities like kayaking, canoeing and even windsurfing. If you’re not feeling too adventurous then you can also opt for a spot of pedalo.
Cycling
Miles of unspoilt cycle routes makes Ferry Meadows a perfect place for a ride. As well as making your own way around the country park there are two marked routes that you can follow. The Family Trail is a 4-mile route indicated by blue markers, while the 7.5 mile Boathouse Trail is indicated by red markers. If you haven’t got your own bike you can hire equipment at the nearby Rutland Cycles shop, which rents out cycles over summer weekends and during school holidays.
Have you been to Ferry Meadows? How did/do you spend your time there? Perhaps you’re a keen angler or you children are lovers of the fantastic parks. Maybe you enjoy taking the nature side of it all with things like badger or bat walks or learning about the Roman ruins that lay within the grounds. Whatever it is, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below about your favourite things to do or even send me a picture on social media
*This has been a collaborative post*
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