Get a glimpse of our fantastic wildlife and enjoy the fresh air at one of the many nature reserves and country parks. Please ensure you help to safeguard our wildlife by keeping dogs on leads and staying on official paths.
Whilst many of the green spaces, parks and reserves in the Nene Valley are accessible by foot, some reserves, parks & attractions are still closed and you will not be able to access the car park or toilets. Please plan ahead and make contact first before heading out.
Pocket Parks
Enjoy natural areas of countryside which are owned, looked after and cherished by the local community. The pocket parks can vary in size from 0.04 hectares to 35 hectares and are found in all types of locations from town centres to quiet villages.
Barnwell Country Park
NOW OPEN
Barnwell has much to offer the visitor which includes nature trails, waterside walks, bird hides, visitor centre, ice cream parlour and picnic and barbecue areas. The large woodland play area is a favourite with children of all ages while the fishing lakes attract anglers from all over the country.
Irchester Country Park
NOW OPEN
A former ironstone quarry that has a children’s play area as well as a network of long and short trails through 83 hectares of mixed woodland. The park is home to the Quarryman’s Rest Cafe, Jungle Parc UK and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.
Sywell Country Park
NOW OPEN
Sywell Country Park offers meadowland and lakeside walks, with a small arboretum of exotic trees and Edwardian buildings still surviving from its past role as a water supply reservoir with a water works heritage trail to guide you round.
Off the Northampton to Mears Ashby Road, near Earls Barton crossroads on the A4500
01604 810970
sywell@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Sywell Country Park
Fermyn Woods Country Park is a gateway to the ancient Rockingham Forest. The Skylark cafe and visitor centre (open 10:00am to 4:00pm) is the ideal place to have a bite to eat and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. The play area is also a fantastic place to let the children run off some steam!
Stanwick Lakes
NOW OPEN
Stanwick Lakes has an abundance of species within its 750 acres, and is particularly known for wintering waterfowl. It has one of the largest reedbeds in Northamptonshire which is home to a variety of birds and invertebrates.
Ferry Meadows
NOW OPEN
The ideal place for family day out. One of the largest country parks in the region. Situated at the heart of Nene Park, its varied landscapes make it the favourite destination for thousands of visitors throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to walk, cycle, ride a train, sail a boat, enjoy a cup of tea in the café or go fishing. Ferry Meadows is the place to explore endless meadows, lakes and woodland – all less than three miles from Peterborough city centre.
Ham Lane, Peterborough, PE2 5UU
01733 234193
visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk
Ferry Meadows
Orton Mere and Woodston Reach
Orton Mere connects Ferry Meadows to Thorpe Meadows and boasts lakes, open space for recreation and a Nene Valley Railway station to explore the Nene Valley. With an avenue of trees to guide your way, why not visit Orton Mere as an alternative gateway to the Park?
The series of footpaths and off-road traffic-free cycle paths mean that you are a only short ride from the action in Ferry Meadows or a few minutes’ walk from relaxing riverside trails in Thorpe Meadows.
Off Oundle Rd, Peterborough, PE2 7DZ
01733 234193
visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk
Orton Mere
Thorpe Meadows
Thorpe Meadows is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at all times.
It is home to Nene Park’s purpose-built rowing lake, riverside walks and sculpture collection. Situated to the east of Ferry Meadows Country Park, it is a great place to walk the dog, cycle or jog while enjoying the sculptures.
Off Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough,
PE3 6LN
01733 234193
visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk
Thorpe Meadows
The Rural Estate (Nene Park)
The Rural Estate is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists at all times.
Found to the west of Ferry Meadows, the Rural Estate is a large agricultural landscape which is steeped in history. Why not join the Nene Way which runs alongside the River Nene, to explore this area further, including the unspoilt villages of Castor, Ailsworth and Sutton.
01733 234193
visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk
The Rural Estate
Delapre Park
Enjoy 500 acres of parkland – a tranquil green oasis of woodland and open grass land. There are plenty of routes through the splendid ancient trees, to choose from around the park for visitors to explore, which lead through woodland and grassland, to lake shore.
Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, Abbey Cottage, Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
01604 760817
Delapre Abbey
Yarwell Mill Country Park
Sitting beside the river Nene and surrounded by gentle rolling countryside Yarwell Mill is the ideal location for a visitors with tents, caravans, motorhomes or boats. Under new ownership since 2015, Yarwell Mill Country Park is set in 27 acres, bordered by the beautiful River Nene.
Yarwell Mill Country Park, Yarwell, PE8 6PS
01780 782344
Yarwell Mill Country Park
