River Nene (100 miles from Northamptonshire to The Wash)
The River Nene winds 100 miles from the East Midlands county of Northamptonshire, to The Wash in east of England. Popular for boaters (read our post for sustainable sailors), it features 38 locks and connects to the Grand Union Canal and the Middle Levels waterway network:
- Middle Levels is a unique 100 mile network of over 90 miles of manmade drains, canals and improved river channels in the Fens of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, developed in the 1600s for drainage and connect the Rivers Nene and Great Ouse.
- Grand Union Canal is England’s longest (London to Birmingham) and passes through the Midlands and Chilterns) with much of it flowing through Buckinghamshire.
Read Call of the Kingfisher, an enchanting book by a composer, who for 40 years has observed resident kingfishers, near his River Nene home.
Always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and toxic plants/trees) and on leads near birds, barnyard friends and wild ponies.
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
Known for its extensive wetlands, gravel pits and marshes – this river is a key area for nature conservation, including habitats for otters, kingfishers and various over-wintering birds. In history, it was a vital place for flood protection near The Fens.
A tidal lock near Ferry Meadows (Peterborough)
The river becomes tidal below Peterborough, with a major tidal lock located near Ferry Meadows, a popular open space just outside Peterborough.
Ferry Meadows is a 650 acre park which is part of the Green Wheel Cycle Route. Less than 3 miles from Peterborough’s city centre, the park was developed from gravel extraction sites, and managed by a local park trust. It has parkland, lakes and woodlands and is popular for walkers.
