Family-friendly things to do at Wicken Fen

Autumn and winter events

Join the popular monthly Mucky Pups for pre-school children. Each session has a different theme and they all take place outside for great adventures in nature for youngsters. Booking essential.

There's a family trail around the Boardwalk, showing how all the animals get ready for winter.

You can explore the woodland walk, join our popular brass rubbing trail around the Boardwalk, and jump in puddles on the Lodes Way.

Listen out for lots of geese and look out for barn owls hunting over the Fen, as well as big groups of rooks and crows coming in to roost as the afternoon draws into evening.

And don’t forget, of course, that the Wicken Fen elves are busy preparing the Fen for visits from Father Christmas and Mother Christmas – booking is now open for you to come and see them.

For Father Christmas there's limited weekday availability, weekends are sold out.

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 p/urchased 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

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.

• Please note the cycle hire centre is now closed until 9 March 2024.
• You are welcome to bring your own bikes.

Boat trips

• Please note boat trips will run from March to October 2024

'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.