Visiting Wicken Fen with family

A family at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire — Family at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve | © National Trust Images/Oskar Proctor

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 monthly February to July 2026: Outdoor adventures at Wicken Fen, for pre-school children who enjoy getting grubby. These seasonal activities, crafts and stories are for children aged 2-5 years, with an accompanying adult. £7 per child. Booking is essential - book here.

February Half Term

This half term, there will be a drop-in doodle feathers activity in the visitor centre.

We have a brand new trail, open from 14th February to 8th March: We are celebrating World Book Day and collaborating with Nosy Crow to create a family trail based on Wonder World: Earth written by Ben Lerwill and illustrated by Xuan Le. This fantastic book is published by Nosy Crow in collaboration with the National Trust. Unlock secrets from Wicken Fen’s underground world and discover the creatures who make their home there, in the dark! Join us to explore this free trail, suitable for all the family (normal admission applies). No booking required, just come to the Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm, daily.

Our popular Owl Pellet Dissection Workshops will be back on Monday 16th February: Delve into the fascinating world of owl pellets to discover what’s been on the menu for the owls of Wicken Fen! This a great workshop for children and adults alike. Suitable for children aged 5+. Children must be accompanied. Booking is essential.

Easter 2026

Our popular Easter Egg Hunt will be back between the 21st March and 12th April (10am to 5pm, last entry 4pm): Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family. Come along and explore the beautiful landscape of Wicken Fen Nature Reserve. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From (suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree-nut allergies) chocolate egg (while stocks last). Explore the peaceful nature reserve, visit the historic windpump or drop into our bird hides as you follow the Easter trail. The trail route follows accessible paths; assistance dogs only.

We are also be running a Family Craft Workshop on 30th March and 9th April (sessions at 10am-12.30pm and 1pm-2.30pm on both dates): A fantastic, crafty workshop that children and adults alike will enjoy, so please book a space for everyone that wants to have a go. Learn the simple printing techniques needed to create striking flower designs and transfer them onto paper. We'll provide everything you need and guide you through the process, step-by-step. Suitable for children age 5+. Must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential.

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

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 from 28th March to 1st November 2026 on weekends and school-holiday weekdays
You are welcome to bring your own bikes
Boat trips run most days from 14th March to 1st November 2026 (subject to weather)

Go on a cycling adventure

Cycle hire will reopen on 28th March 2026 on weekends and school-holiday weekdays

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: £10.50 for 2 hours, then £4.75 per hour
Recumbent trike: £12.00 for 2 hours, then £5 per hour
Child bike: £6.50 for 2 hours, then £3.50 per hour
Adult bike with child seat: £11.50 for 2 hours, then £4.75 per hour
Trailer/tag: £17.50 for 2 hours, then £6.00 per hour
Tandem: £20.00 for 2 hours, then £9.00 per hour
E-bike: £15.75 for 2 hours, then £6.00 per hour

Enjoy a boat trip (spring-autumn only)

Boat trips will resume on 14th March 2026

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 most days 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 £7.75, child £4.75 (under 1s go free), family £23.75 (two adults and two children).

The boat has capacity for 12 passengers, including babies.

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.