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Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire
Herds of free-roaming Konik ponies | © National Trust Images / Mike Selby
Cambridgeshire

Wicken Fen Adventurers' Trail

This 3-mile trail explores a varied landscape of reed beds, open water and wet grassland. Look out for dragonflies in summer and herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies.

Safety

Take care near waterways and ponds.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Wicken Fen National Trust visitor centre. Grid ref: TL563705

Step 1

Check in at the visitor centre if you are a member or need information. As you exit, Wicken Lode is on your right. Follow the path keeping the water to your right. You will pass some ash trees and Wicken's Poor Fen on your left. This is common land. Traditionally local villagers had the right to collect sedge and peat from here.

Step 2

Cross Monk's Lode at Norman's Bridge. Look out for plants like arrowhead and water lilies. Turn left after the bridge.

Brimstone butterfly on dandelion at Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk
Brimstone butterfly on dandelion | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

Step 3

Walk through the double set of gates onto the grassy bank overlooking Baker’s Fen. Please ensure they are closed behind you, as our grazing animals use this crossing point between different areas of the fen.

Step 4

Walk along this bank, known as Moore’s Drove, with views to your left over Baker’s Fen. This grassland is wet in winter and into spring, attracting waders, and is grazed by our herds of highland cattle and Konik ponies. Continue to the end of the path

Highland Cattle gathered around a pool of water at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
Highland Cattle gathered around a pool of water at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images / Mike Selby

Step 5

Turn right along the next path, and on your right is the site of Norman's Mill.

Step 6

Note the reed beds on your left and the many birds and insects inhabiting them. Turn right again to walk alongside Wicken Lode. There is a squeeze gap and path on the right leading to West Mere Hide, used to overlook the mere's west end and the island.

Male reed bunting singing from a perch at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Male reed bunting at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

Step 7

Continue past the sign for West Mere Hide. Go down the path to visit West Mere Hide to see what wildfowl are out on the mere.

Step 8

Return to the Wicken Lode bank, turn right and follow along the lode. Cross back over Normans Bridge and return towards the Visitor Centre.

End point

Wicken Fen National Trust visitor centre. Grid ref: TL563705

Trail map

Map route for Wicken Fen adventurers' trail, Cambridgeshire
Map route for Wicken Fen adventurers' trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XP

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