Six Weeks of Summer Activities at Nene Park

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From Saturday 24 July, look out for some exciting activities and events running for the six weeks of school summer holidays in Nene Park!  There is something for everyone to enjoy, from our park explorer challenge, guided walks and holiday trails and our ‘Big Summer Hunt’, to pond dipping and bug hunts, craft workshops and bushcraft sessions. Not to mention our daily watersports pay and play activities at Nene Outdoors and boat trips on Overton Lake! 

Find out what’s happening and when, with our Six Weeks of Summer guide to family fun in the Park:

Join the Park Explore Challenge: Aimed at younger children (5-12 year olds) and their families, we will be launching a new Park Explorer Challenge each Monday throughout the six-week holiday, starting from Monday 26 July. The challenges will take you out to different areas across Nene Park and will involve activities such as puzzles, quizzes and spotter games in each of the different areas. Find out full details and download the weekly challenges from www.nenepark.org.uk/park-explorer-challenge

Take part in the Big Summer Hunt: Aimed at older children and their families, we are holding our Big Summer Hunt activity throughout the six week summer holiday, which will see participants busily solving puzzles across Nene Park and having the chance to win exciting weekly prizes and the final main competition prize! Each Friday, starting from the 23 July a new clue will be announced on our website and social media. These will range from riddles, puzzles or picture clues, which will lead you to a landmark in an area of Nene Park. Find the weekly clues at www.nenepark.org.uk/big-summer-hunt

Complete a trail at Ferry Meadows: There will be a new trail up around Ferry Meadows every two weeks throughout the summer holidays. Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £1, hunt for questions as you walk around the Park and return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize.

Pay & Play at Nene Outdoors: Make a splash with our full range of Pay and Play activities on Gunwade Lake, with activities available between 11am and 6pm each day. Daily watersports activities include swan pedalos and row boats, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, dinghies and windsurfing.  Buoyancy aids are included with hire and our friendly and experienced members of staff are always on hand to offer advice and ensure you are safe at all times. You can also hire bikes at Nene Outdoors to explore the wider Park! Book your activities online to avoid the queues here.

Take a boat trip: Take a trip around Overton Lake in our new eco passenger boat and enjoy unique views of the lakes and the River Nene around Ferry Meadows. Boat trips run regularly at weekends, and daily during school holidays. Book your tickets now.

Camp under the stars: Upgrade your day out at Ferry Meadows to an overnight adventure! Book one of our bell tents on the brand new ‘Lakeview Campsite’ and enjoy an easy camping experience on the peaceful banks of Gunwade Lake. On weekdays during the six weeks of summer, you’ll also be able make an individual booking on a per night basis at ‘The Glade’, our pitch only campsite. Located in the heart of Ferry Meadows, both campsites have access to a number of facilities and are ideally situated to take advantage of all the exciting activities on offer at Nene Outdoors. Click here to find out more.

Discover Lakeside Farm Shop: The brand new farm shop, located next to Nene Outdoors in Ferry Meadows, stocks an exciting range of locally grown and sourced produce from the Park’s very own farm partners as well as suppliers from across the region. Pick up your summer BBQ packs, picnic items & charcoal for your day out in the Park!

 

Family Fun & Nature Events

Rah Rah Theatre, Teddy Bear's Picnic Theatre Show - 24th July: Bring your favourite bear along to the Teddy Bear's Picnic Theatre Show at 11am or 2.30pm and enjoy an exciting show full of props, puppets, songs and dancing.  Aimed at children aged 2-6, it’s £10 per ticket. Click here to book.

Pond Dipping - 28th July / 4th August / 11th August / 18th August / 25th August / 1st September: 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 depending on the number of people attending.  Meeting at the Lynch Lake pond dipping platform, this event is suitable for children aged 3 and over and is free to attend, however donations are always welcome!

Bug Hunt - 29th July / 17th August: Find out what amazing creatures make their home in the different habitats at Ferry Meadows. This event is suitable for children aged two and over and costs £2.50 per child. Click here to book your place and choose from the morning or afternoon session.

Bushcraft Session (Tool Use) - 3rd August: Learn how to use a selection of tools including loppers and gimlets to turn elder sticks into crafts such as beads, jewellery and more! This event is suitable for children aged 7 and over and it’s £5.50 per child. Click here to book your place and choose from the morning or afternoon session.

Bushcraft Session (Firelighting) - 12th August: Children will learn how to use basic bushcraft techniques to light a fire without using matches and get the chance to try and light their own fire. This event is suitable for children aged 7 and over and it’s £5.50 per child. Click here to book your place and choose from the morning or afternoon session.

Bushcraft Session: Shelter Building – 26th August: Come along to find out how to build a shelter in the wild and have a go at creating your own! This event is suitable for children aged 7 and over and it’s £5.50 per child. Click here to book your place and choose from the morning or afternoon session.

 

Craft Workshops

Willow Weaving Workshop - 24th July: A beginners workshop to introduce you to the wonderful world of willow. Learn techniques you need to create 3 pieces of work, which could include a dragonfly, butterfly, fish or snail. Suitable for age 16 and over, it’s £15 per person and you can choose from the morning or afternoon session. Click here to book your place.

Introduction to Glass Making Workshop - 7th August: Design and make your own unique fused glass! During the session you will learn about the nature of glass to inform your designs and creations, explore the design process and choose from a variety of glass and other materials to make your own piece. This workshop is suitable for age 16 and over, it’s £20 per person and you can choose from the morning or afternoon session. Click here to book your place.

 

Walking Groups

Social Walking Group - 2nd August / 25th August: Join our Visitor Ranger and get to know a group of like-minded walkers, whilst enjoying our ‘East Railway’ route. This event is suitable for 12 years and over and is free to attend, but you do need to click here to book your place online.

Butterfly Walk - 9th August / 26th August: Visitor Warden Sophie will guide you through the fluttering world of butterflies as you walk around parts of Ferry Meadows looking at the butterflies found and enjoying any other wildlife you might spot around the Park. This event is suitable age 5 years and over and it’s £2.50 per person to attend. Click here to book your place.

Please donate if you can!

As you know, Nene Park Trust is a charitable organisation and relies on public support to manage the upkeep of our beautiful green spaces for all of the community to enjoy. Any support you can give to ensure the continuation of our services will help considerably. Please go to www.nenepark.org.uk/donate if you are able to make a donation.