Advice re Stamford and Ferry Meadows please
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It’s a fairly busy site. Cycling into Peterborough is easy, although if the Cathedral is your destination, you will have to get off and push through pedestrian precincts. We took bike locks with us, and a very kind guide kept an eye on our bikes outside Cathedral. The park surrounding the site is very bike friendly, we hopped on and off at various bird hides. It is heaving at weekends, a very busy place. The Nene Valley Railway runs next to the site, so if you are lucky you might get to see some great steam trains. It was used as Russian railway in Goldeneye.
We visited Ely from here, again another fabulous Cathedral and pretty little town. Oliver Cromwell’s house is in Ely as well. Can’t help on Oundle, and Stamford/Burghley is a day trip for us, so haven’t used Stamford site. Burghley is impressive.
Another place we visited from FM was Fotheringhay. Although the castle is very ruinous, it’s still worth walking around, but the true gem is the Church. It houses the Yorkist tombs dating from War of the Roses, and is chock full of history. Not sure how big your MH is, but we had no issues parking at both Ely and Fotheringhay.
http://friends-of-fotheringhay-church.co.uk/history/
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I can’t help with most of your questions, WTG, but the park at Ferry Meadows is tremendous. We’ve never managed to walk all the way round it and there’s scope for at least a couple of days cycling I guess.
Rutland Water isn’t far and well worth a visit.
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There is a lot more to do just off site at Ferry Meadows, Stamford has a good set up in the woods but it's limited to those woods and the café which is often busy especially at weekends, although you'll see the Red Kites so that's a bonus!
We parked up our M/H easily at Burghley, the parkland is expansive and there's plenty of room. We didn't manage to park up in Stamford itself it was very busy, so an early visit is needed.
I think both sites have lots to offer but possibly FM with Peterborough so close by has the edge on some things. That said I love the countryside around Stamford and Rutland.
So the choice is a big facility site at FM adjoining a Country Park and easy access to Peterborough (also a train in the park!) Or the more rural Stamford with no facilities but some excellent woodland walks and cycle rides and Red Kites on view. I think I'd be tempted to do both sites if possible.
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WTG
I think you may find that from Top Lodge (sorry Stamford) you will be cycling along the main A43 unless the site can suggest a back way? We quite like the site which has no toilet block. Lots of walking from the site.
Ferry Meadows is all things to all men! It is a good starting point for touring. You can leave your outfit on site with lots of walking immediately from the site. There is a steam railway if that is your thing. The bus stop is a bit of a hike but not too far. There is a pub and garden centre within walking distance. Road communications are very good from Ferry Meadows for exploring further away. If you are taking bikes make sure you have decent security for them whilst on site as I understand there have been a few issues.
David
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I don't think I'd want to cycle into Stamford from Top Lodge either David! (I expect someone will say they've done it but the roads are busy.)
edit I've just checked there is a ring and collect bus service for the site, I wonder how good that is but it sounds as though it might be ok?
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Agree with brue and David about not trying to cycling into Stamford from the site. You could of course park up in Burghley (free parking) and easily cycle into Stamford. Alternatively if coming from the Stamford site drive past the road to Burghley and take the next right, just before the river bridge, and you could well find a parking spot along that road, if you're early or lucky enough, and crossing the foot bridge take you up into the town, as we did earlier this year. Rutland Water, easily accessed from Stamford site is good for cycling, and there are plenty of pay and display car parks.
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Ferry Meadows although more costly wins every time ,it is the ideal motor caravan site as will be noted with how many are now using it, the cycle ride into Peterborough is a flat 3miles with no traffic, there are two cafes on Nene Park 10%discount with cc mem card
Stamford (Top Lodge)is a non facilty site (toilet in cafe complex) but certainly no where near Stamford and A43 not a road to cycle on
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WTG
I thought you had been a member for some time? A few years ago the Club decided to rename some sites after the nearest town as they thought that names like Top Lodge and Lower Clough Foot were meaningless to those not familiar with the sites. Neither site is actually near the towns in question but calling it by the name of the town does give a better geographical sense of where they are. Some of us with longer memories tend to remember them fondly by their old names!!!
David
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I think the two sites are completely contrasting and FM itself has two sides, check out whether you prefer the carefully laid out pitches on the west side or the more leafy green pitches on the other. I would head for the "greener" east side next time although both are landscaped.
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We stayed on the West side of FM whilst there last weekend, our pitch backed onto the NVR tracks, so nice to see the occasional steam train. We walked into Peterborough an easy 3 miles through the park alongside the Nene Vallry railways. We also went to Burghley house on our way back from watching the Ospreys at Rutland Water. As we had been to Burghley some years ago we didn’t go into the house and gardens we just wandered around the parkland. The ticket price for house and gardens is £20/each.
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The ticket price for (Burghley) house and gardens is £20/each.
Free if you're a member of the Historic Houses Association!
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It's not that cheap but if you like to visit some of the larger historic properties, such as Castle Howard, Harewood House etc and they also have a lot of fine gardens in their list.
Link to their web site so you can see what's on offer.
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We belong to both N/T & EH too, but certainly get full value from our membership.
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I would endorse what Nellie suggests about HHA. We have saved a fortune going round some of the places we had never been before, some are far more interesting than NT places as well. We are CADW members rather than EH. Bit of a long story, but I will relate it some other time....😁
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Stamford is a nice site for peace & quiet. I wouldn't count the local roads as bike friendly but experienced cyclists should be OK. We didn't find much to do. Stamford is attractive but suffers from traffic and the buildings from pollution.
The Ferry Meadows site is big and busy. Located on the edge of the Nene Valley Park, a peaceful haven for wildlife with kingfishers for the eagle eyed and herons for the not so quick to spot. Cycling in Peterborough is easy although even though it is signposted, so is getting lost on the cycle ways - expect to stop to read a local cycle map.
Wicken Fen is worth a look. East of Peterborough or Stamford is what the locals call the flatlands - interesting to wander around the flatlands.The Cathedral often hosts events so despite living there for three years, I never managed to get inside! Patience and planning or luck will be the order of the day. The Nene valley railway is good for train fans but check operating times. I've been to Oundle, nice place but I wouldn't go again - glad I went though.
There is plenty to keep you occupied for a week in Peterborough and you can easily get around on foot.
If I wanted a restful site I'd go to Stamford, otherwise Ferry Meadows has so much to offer.
If you don't fancy getting to one of the sites without an overnight stop, think about the Cotswolds and then drive east cross country. But stopping enroute wil eat into your time.
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WTG. I've changed my mind about suggesting you go to both sites! I think on balance and considering the two sites are very close and you've just a week to see the sights I'd probably plump for Ferry Meadows. It's quite a long run across from Pembrokeshire, we've used Bladon as a stopover from the SW. FM, although not as quiet does have the country park next door with a big variety of things to see including the nice stretches of open water. You'll have to let us know what you decide?!
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Similar to us WTG, you just have to take advantage of circumstances. FM area is quite a long haul for you, so five days way too short to do it justice. North Norfolk is another deal entirely. Stunning place, a month here wouldn’t see everything.
We are committed to our long Summer break now, booked a much loved cottage on Dartmoor, but we have a lot to fit in before then, including Mid/North Wales.
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