Ferry Meadows is Peterborough’s answer to needing space to breathe. Part of the wider Nene Park, it stretches across more than 2,000 acres of lakes, meadows and woodland, all threaded with easy walking and cycling trails. It’s the kind of place that suits almost any pace — a brisk morning run, a slow afternoon walk, or an entire day spent between the lakeside cafés and the water.
Families tend to gravitate toward the play areas and the miniature railway that runs on selected days, while paddleboard and kayak hire on the main lake is a favourite for anyone wanting to get out on the water. Cyclists can pick up a full loop of the park, and there’s bike hire on site if you didn’t bring your own.
We’d suggest going mid-morning on a clear day, when the light on the lakes is at its best and the paths aren’t too busy. It’s an easy, free-to-enter escape that shows off a different side of Peterborough — green, unhurried and a genuine local favourite, not just a tourist stop.
