Wicken Rose Cottage

Wicken Rose Cottage is on the edge of the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve and England’s most famous fen. With an abundance of wildlife and walks from the doorstep, this semi-detached cottage offers a snug spot for two.

The front door opens into a cosy little living room. This leads to a light kitchen and then to the back porch, which has a breakfast bar and garden views. The enclosed back garden has a seating area and planting inspired by the fen, with hazel fencing and a bog garden.

Stairs from the kitchen lead to the upstairs landing where you’ll find the shower room and the small, restful bedroom. The king size bed has a view of a grass paddock, where you may see wildlife. The Wicken Fen chickens live just along the lane, so you might also hear the cockerel in the morning. Cladium (sleeps four) is next door and can be booked with Wicken Rose Cottage for a group of six.

The lane that passes the cottage leads to the visitor centre before becoming walking trails. Wicken Fen is one of Europe’s most important wetlands and is home to thousands of plant and animal species. The raised boardwalk gives easy access to the landscape of flowering meadows, sedge and reedbeds. Spot the herds of free-roaming konik ponies and highland cattle, here helping to engineer new habitats.

The National Cycle Network (Route 11) 'Lodes Way' travels through the reserve, covering over 25 miles of quiet lanes and scenic tracks from Ely Cathedral to Cambridge, with plenty of options for short taster rides and longer adventures. You can hire bikes at Wicken Fen, storing them in the rack in the garden. You could also take a guided boat trip through the fens.

You can walk to Wicken village in five minutes. Soham and Ely are a little further away. During your stay, you’ll have free entry during opening hours to National Trust places including Anglesey Abbey (walking or cycling trail via Route 11), Wimpole Estate, Peckover House and Garden, and Ickworth which are all less than an hour by car.