Family-friendly things to do at Wicken Fen

Members of a family take part in pond dipping at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire — Family pond dipping at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire | © National Trust Images/John Millar

If outdoor activities and learning about nature sound like a good day out for your family, Wicken Fen is the right place for you. Discover everything you need to plan your family day out, from events and activities for kids to hiring bikes.

Find out more

You can enjoy the wheelchair/pushchair-friendly woodland walk, join our popular brass rubbing trail around the boardwalk, pick up an explorers' bag and there's always some colouring or craft activities waiting for you in the family discovery area inside the visitor centre.

Mucky Pups

Running one Friday per month , our popular Mucky Pups outdoor adventures - for pre-school children who enjoy getting grubby - are back! Seasonal activities, crafts and stories for children aged 2-5 years, with an accompanying adult. £7 per child. Booking essential.

Easter Trail still running!

Oour Easter Egg Hunt is running until Sunday 27 April*: Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family.

*This is subject to chocolate egg availability! To avoid disappointment, feel free to call us on 01353 720274 ahead of your visit.

May-June Half Term Events

Looking ahead to the Summer Half Term, we have lots of family-friends activities to get involved in.

Running from 24 May to 1 June is our brand-new All About Peat Trail: Follow the boardwalk and discover peat's secrets; , how it makes the reserve a unique haven for a host of fenland species and acts as enormous carbon store.

A fun Grass Printing Workshop is running on 29 May: Create a work of art to hang at home, using simple printing techniques and some local grasses.

Our popular Pond Dipping sessions are back, running on 27 and 28 May: Delve into the watery world of Wicken Fen to find out what is living beneath the surface. All equipment provided, plus a helping hand to identify the creatures that you find.

On 30 May, don't miss Discover the Dirt!: Outdoor family fun, celebrating peat - nave you ever wondered what is under the ground at Wicken Fen? ...deep, dark, damp peat, which has taken thousands of years to accumulate.

We have a special event on 1 June, Within the Peat - exploring Wicken Fen's ancient habitats [free event, no booking necessary]: See and handle ancient remains of plants and invertebrates from the peat at Wicken Fen. Visit the Learning Centre where environmental archaeologists will be sharing materials from their research at Wicken Fen.Learn how past ecologies and landscapes can be reconstructed from the remains of plants and invertebrates in peats. This event is being run in partnership with the Fenscapes project, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge.

Tickets for our events can be booked here!

Planning your family visit

Here's the information you need at a glance to make the most of your family day out at Wicken Fen:

Baby-changing facilities are available in the toilets
Pushchairs and baby back-carriers are welcome
The Boardwalk and woodland walk on Sedge Fen are suitable for pushchairs
The Lodes Way cycle path is suitable for pushchairs
The road from the car park to the wider reserve is accessible
Drinks and snacks can be purchased from the Docky Hut Café which has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as takeaway
We stock a range of kids' books and toys in our shop

Family in a boat travelling along the water at Wicken Fen — Explore Wicken Fen by boat | © Mike Selby

Cycling and boat trips (10 Mar - 2 Nov)

Explore the reserve on two wheels and enjoy an easy family ride to see the Konik ponies or discover the wildlife in the wider reserve. Or take a ride on the Mayfly and see some water wildlife up close.

The cycle hire centre is open daily from 10 March to 2 November 2025
You are welcome to bring your own bikes
Boat trips are running daily throughout the summer

Go on a cycling adventure

Explore the reserve on two wheels and enjoy an easy family ride to see the Konik ponies or discover the wildlife in the wider reserve.

The cycle hire centre is open 7 days a week.
Cycle hire opens daily at 10am, last hire 2:30pm for a return by 4:30pm.
We have a range of bikes available for hire including ebikes, trikes and children’s bikes. There’s no need to book for cycle hire unless you have specific requirements.
Helmets are available, although do bring your own if you have one.
Locks are available so that you can secure your bike whilst out on your ride.

Cycle hire rates (all rates are for two hours; additional hours are charged on return)

Adult bike: £9.50 for 2 hours, then £3.75 per hour
Recumbent trike: £9.50
Child bike: £5.75 for 2 hours, then £2.50 per hour
Adult bike with child seat: £10.00 for 2 hours, then £3.75 per hour
Trailer/tag: £16.00 for 2 hours, then £3.75 per hour
Tandem: £19.50 for 2 hours, then £8.00 per hour
E-bike: £15 for 2 hours, then £5.75 per hour

Enjoy a boat trip

Sit back, relax and watch the world go by as you explore the beautiful fenland waterways on the Mayfly. The 50-minute trips run from mid-March to late October.

Our open boat is powered by a quiet electric motor, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility of the Fen. Our expert driver will be able to let you know about the wildlife on the day, point out features of the Fen, and answer questions about fenland waterways and drainage.

Boat trips run daily throughout the summer. Please contact us on 01353 720274 to check availability and to book. In the event of unfavourable weather, please call us to check if the boat is running.

Prices: Adult £7.50, child £4.50 (under 1s go free), family £22.50 (two adults and two children)

The boat has capacity for 12 passengers, including babies

Minimum charge for hire of whole boat is £67.50 (but charged at per person rate if higher)

Pay on the day, in the Visitor Centre - non National Trust members please be aware, admission for Wicken Fen will also be required

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Dogs are not permitted on board (except assistance dogs)

Child holding a camera to take a photo — Enjoy learning more about photography | © Megan Taylor

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

There are lots of '50 things to do before you're 11¾' activities to tick off during your visit. Here are some recommendations:

No. 11 Explore on wheels: Feel the wind on your face as you explore the fen on a bike. See if you can spot the Konik ponies and discover more wildlife in the wider reserve
No. 25 Join nature's band: Head to the wider reserve or the Boardwalk and stop and listen for a minute. It won't take long to notice the music of nature and the longer you listen, the more you'll hear. Birds singing, woodpeckers tapping, reeds rustling. The fen is bursting with wildlife and the sounds of nature
No. 31 Make friends with a bug: In the summer the fen is full of the buzz of insects, spectacular hawker dragonflies and smaller darters. See what butterflies you can spot in the woodland walk glades and over the wet grassland
No. 44 Watch a bird: Wicken Fen is home to lots of birds. Birds can be shy or timid. You'll need to be as quiet as a mouse while you keep a look out for our feathered friends. Head over to one of our hides to start your birdwatching, be as quiet as you can then sit tight and wait
No. 48 Keep a nature diary: Keep a record of your amazing adventures in nature, capturing your memories of the animals and plants you’ve seen at Wicken Fen. Call into the Visitor Centre where you’ll find information about the wildlife you might see at the fen.