The Great Fen

Rothchild's Bungalow in Woodwalton Fen NNR

Woodwalton Fen

Heritage Day event at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom

The famous Holme Post

Pond dipping one of the inspiring schools programmes on offer.

Family event at Ramsey Heights Countryside Classroom

One of the most important wildlife projects in Britain....

On the verge of extinction

The Fens, which stretched for hundreds of square miles, were once wild and wet. They were home to all sorts of wildlife, from beavers and otters, to butterflies and dragonflies, to water birds and wildflowers.

Over 99.9% of the original wild fens has been lost.

When the great wetland was drained for farming, much of the Fen wildlife could no longer survive on the land.

The Great Fen - one of the most exciting habitat restoration projects ever undertaken in Britain - will create a 3,700 hectare wetland between Huntingdon and Peterborough.

This will be achieved by obtaining land to connect two existing National Nature Reserves, Holme Fen and Woodwalton Fen. Connecting these two vitally important reserves will provide a haven for wildlife and create a massive green space for people, opening new opportunities for recreation, education and business.

The Great Fen is a long term and ambitious project, requiring the work, expertise and support of many people and partners. Already, successes are happening on the ground.

Visit the Great Fen

Visiting the Great Fen today you will already see a huge variety of wildlife, some found nowhere else. Restoration is underway and there are lots of places to visit for beautiful walks.

Woodwalton Fen....

is one of Britain's oldest nature reserves. Mature reedbed, mixed fen, grassland, woodland and hawthorn scrub. Over 20kms of pathway with several meres and bird hides. Beautiful views and abundant wildlife can been seen throughout this internationally important site. Woodwalton Fen is open all year round with free access and limited parking along the bank.

Holme Fen.....

includes the biggest lowland silver birch woodland in Britain, open bracken, grassland and remnants of a raised peat bog. Over 12kms of pathway with 3 meres and hides. The famous Holme Post is situated in the heart of the reserve. Come and see a wide variety of wildlife including many species of weird and wonderful fungi.

The Wildlife Trust Countryside Classroom....

is  great place to come and visit and includes an old brickworks, now used for educational and community activities and events, and a nature reserve. The Great Fen team often run activities and events (see our website for more details). This site has good access, parking and toilet facilties during office hours. It is also where the Great Fen team are based Mon to Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm and where information is available about the Great Fen.The Nature Reserve is open to the public at all times. Visit the Great Fen website for more details about what is on offer.

Heritage

The Great Fen is an area rich in history and we are keen for it not to be lost. Our Great Fen team and Great Fen Local History group have been collecting memories and objects from local people. These have been archived and we have produced several booklets and a DVD using these memories. These are available to purchase via the Great Fen team.

Contacts and address

Wildlife Trust Countryside Classroom,Chapel Road, Ramsey Heights, Cambridgeshire PE26 2RS

For more information, including information about events and education visits please get in touch with the Great Fen team on 01487 710420, email info@greatfen.org.uk or visit the Great Fen website or The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire's website.

Find us

For directions and access information please visit the Great Fen website.

More about the Great Fen

This project is a partnership of the Environment Agency, Huntingdonshire District Council, Middle Level Commissioners, Natural England and the Wildlife Trust and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

We Offer

• Educational programmes
• Family and community events throughout the year.
• Themed guided walks.
• volunteering opportunities.