Ferry Meadows Miniature Railway - Overton Station

The miniature railway at Ferry Meadows runs a tight little circuit that pulls in families and trainspotters alike. It's a proper narrow-gauge operation - think genuine locomotives running to scale, not theme-park stuff. The Overton Station stop is where you'll board, and from there it's a gentle trundle through the meadows with views across the Nene Valley that actually deserve the journey.

Kids aged three to ten will get the most out of it. Younger toddlers sometimes find the ride too short to properly settle, and by eleven most are checking their phones. The whole experience takes about twenty minutes if you include queuing, though a return journey doubles that nicely. Allow a couple of hours if you're treating it as a morning out rather than just a quick stop.

The campsite situation here is frankly excellent. Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club is literally next door - you could practically roll out of your pitch and onto the platform. Nene Outdoors is equally close if you prefer a smaller setup. Both sit perfectly for a park-based week where the railway is one afternoon's entertainment alongside walking, cycling, and fishing along the Nene.

Go on a weekday morning if possible. Weekends fill up with day-trippers from Peterborough, and the charm gets diluted a bit. It's free to wander the station grounds, though rides cost a few quid. Worth it if you're already camped there - less compelling as a standalone trip from further afield.