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 until 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.

May Half Term

Our popular Stick Trail returns from 16th May, running daily until 7th June. Grab a stick and follow the trail, to discover the many, many fun things you can do with a stick. No need to book, just come to the Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm, daily and begin your sticky adventure!

During Half Term week itself, our popular Pond Dipping sessions are running throughout the 26th and 27th 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. Bookable sessions at 10.30, 11.45, 13.30 and 14.45. Suitable for children aged 5+ (must be accompanied). Get your tickets 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

Head to our Outdoor Activities page to find out about our boat trips and cycle hire.

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.