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Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
The National Trust's oldest nature reserve, and England's most famous fen
Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XP
Important notice
With the current freezing temperatures, access onto the Boardwalk is likely to be delayed each day until ice clears. This does not affect any part of your Father Christmas event, if you have tickets. Call us on 01353 720274 for boardwalk updates.
Opening times for 4 December 2023
Asset Opening time Nature reserve 10:00 - 17:00 Café 10:00 - 16:00 Car Park Dawn - Dusk Cycle hire Closed Shop 10:00 - 16:30 Visitor Centre 10:00 - 16:30 MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedCar
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Cars £3.20 Sedge Fen
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £9.40 £8.50 Child £4.70 £4.25 Family £23.40 £21.25 Family 1 adult £14.10 £12.75 Group Adult £8.00 Group Child £4.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Cafe
The Docky Hut cafe is next to the Visitor Centre.
Shop
The shop is in the Visitor Centre; there is also a small selection of second-hand books.
Car park
Our car park is located mid way down Lode Lane; follow the lane on foot to find the Visitor Centre, cafe and start of all walks on the Fen. Members need to scan their membership card for a free parking ticket; non-members pay and display is £3.
Toilet
Toilets are in the car park, and also in the Learning Centre located behind the cafe.
Dogs
Dogs under close control are welcome on Adventurers' Fen and the wider reserve paths, as well as in the Visitor Centre/shop. Assistance dogs only on Sedge Fen (Boardwalk, Woodland Walk and Summer Nature Trail)
Blue Badge parking and drop-off point. Accessible toilets and routes. Wheelchairs available. Assistance dogs on Sedge Fen.
Accessible route and/or map
Our circular Boardwalk and Woodland Walk on Sedge Fen are accessible routes, including access into two hides. Assistance dogs only on these routes. The Lodes Way cycle path going out towards Adventurers' Fen is also accessible. All dogs under close control welcome on this route.
Level access to food outlet
Accessible toilet
There are accessible toilets in both the car park and Learning Centre toilets.
Level access to shop
Designated parking
There are designated parking spaces in our main car park, plus two in front of the Visitor Centre.
Level access/terrain
Drop-off point
Dropping off in front of the Visitor Centre is possible.
Seating available
Benches are located around the Boardwalk, fewer on other walking routes.
Induction loop
Wheelchairs available
By road
South of Wicken (A1123), 3 miles west of Soham (A142), 9 miles south of Ely, 17 miles north-east of Cambridge via A10
Parking: 120 yards. Pay and display, £3.00 non-members, free for members.
By train
The closest train stations are Ely 9 miles; Soham 5 miles. Taxis are usually available at Ely, and you can also join the National Cycle Network route 11 to Wicken at Ely station if you have brought bikes on the train.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Wicken Fen with your dog
Wicken Fen is a two pawprint rated place. To help us ensure our visitors, dogs and wildlife get along together, there are a few do’s and don’ts to take note of if you’re bringing your dog with you. Find out more here.
Article
School visits to Wicken Fen
Plan a school visit to Wicken Fen for an inspiring backdrop to an adventurous day of learning. Find out about the activities and facilities available, how to book and more.
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Highlights
Sedge Fen
Paths lead through the historic undrained core of the Fen, lush with wetland plants and rich in wildlife.
Adventurers' Fen
Wet grassland, reedbeds, and the Mere attract wildfowl and waders. Grazed by herds of Konik ponies and Highland cattle.
Burwell Fen and beyond
Landscape-scale nature conservation in action, with wildlife moving in as Wicken Fen grows.
Fen Cottage
Traditional fenland cottage, built using local materials, and furnished in 1930s style. Fenman's workshop in the garden.
Windpump
Working wooden windpump, the last in the Fens. Occasionally in action.
Visitor Centre
Information about sightings, routes and activities. Large windows overlooking the Sedge Fen; family discovery area to inspire your visit.
Docky Hut Café
Docky Hut Café offers light lunches, hot and cold drinks, cakes and other treats, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Visitor Centre shop
Gifts, homeware, garden accessories and local produce, plus nature- and wildlife-inspired books.
Spotlight events
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Wicken Fen
Go on a cycling adventure, enjoy a boat trip, and see how many different species you can spot on a day out with the family at Wicken Fen.
Mucky Pups
Outdoor adventures at Wicken Fen, for pre-school children who enjoy getting grubby. Each session has a different theme and all take place outside. Booking essential.
Meet Mother Christmas Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December
Enjoy a traditional festive treat with your little ones in the Fen Cottage. Join the Elves to make a Christmas decoration and collect a take-home Christmas craft pack, then make your way to Fen Cottage to meet Mother Christmas and receive a present.
Things to see and do
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Wildlife at Wicken Fen
Wicken Fen was the first nature reserve to be managed by the National Trust. Today it’s one of Europe's most important wetlands and home to over 9,000 species.
Article
Explore the Nature Reserve at Wicken Fen
Explore the diverse landscape at Wicken Fen, abundant with wildlife, flora and fauna. Discover the ancient Sedge Fen, grazing herds of Konik ponies and the iconic windpump.
Press release
See the Koniks featured on BBC Wild Isles
If you've been watching BBC Wild Isles narrated by Sir David Attenborough, you will have seen Wicken Fen's Konik ponies. See the herd for yourself, including its newest arrival.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Outdoor activities at Wicken Fen
Explore the fens on two wheels or on foot. Enjoy an easy family ride to see Konik ponies or discover the wildlife in the wider reserve.
Top trails
Trail
Four Lodes Trail at Wicken Fen
Explore part of Wicken Fen following the four Lodes on a trail is a great walk for catching a glimpse of grazing herds including Konik ponies and Highland cattle. Stop off at one of the hides to look for bittern, waterfowl and marsh harriers. It's the perfect walk for all the family to enjoy this season.
Trail
Wicken Fen Adventurers' Trail
A 3-mile walk, exploring new areas of wetland habitat, reed beds and the mere.
Trail
Wicken Fen boardwalk trail
A short walk around Wicken's ancient Sedge Fen, a unique remnant of undrained fenland.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Wicken Fen
Visit the Docky Hut Café and try our freshly baked sausage rolls and hot snacks or buy a gift in the shop as a souvenir of your visit.
Upcoming events
Event
Wicken Wellbeing Walk
Join us for a relaxed walk at Wicken Fen as part of our community engagement project: Footprints. This is a regular walk, taking place weekly on Fridays.
About Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
Wicken Fen, one of Europe's most important wetlands, supports an abundance of wildlife. There are more than 9000 species, including a spectacular array of plants, birds and dragonflies.
The raised boardwalk and lush grass droves allow easy access to a lost landscape of flowering meadows, sedge and reedbeds, where you can encounter rarities such as hen harriers, water voles and bitterns.
Wicken Fen Vision, an ambitious landscape-scale conservation project, is opening up new areas of land to explore. Our grazing herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies are helping to create a diverse range of new habitats.
History
Article
The history of Wicken Fen
We’ve cared for Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve for over 120 years. Discover its history and how we continue to look after this very special place.
Our work
Turning on the tap
Six taps have been turned on across Wicken Fen, to help create a winter wetland for wildlife and reduce CO2 emissions. As gravity enables water to flow from the higher lodes across the fens, more wildfowl are returning to make this national nature reserve their home for the winter.
Article
Our work at Wicken Fen
Learn about some of the work we carry out at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve throughout the year to conserve this important landscape for visitors, plants and animals alike.
Sky dancing marsh harriers create stronghold
The breeding season has begun for marsh harriers at Wicken Fen and what was once a rare occurrence is becoming a more common sight.
Press release
Koniks feature on BBC Wild Isles
If you watched BBC Wild Isles narrated by Sir David Attenborough, you will have seen Wicken Fen's Konik ponies. Find out more about the herd, its newest arrival and the ranger looking after them.
Project
Project
Wicken Fen Vision
Learn how we’re planning to care for Wicken Fen Nature Reserve with an ambitious vision to create and preserve a diverse landscape for people and for the wildlife that lives here.
Project
Project
Footprints project at Wicken Fen
Discover how we’re connecting the communities near Wicken Fen with nature and heritage as part of the Footprints project, thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.