Cambridgeshire

Wicken Fen Adventurers' Trail

Konik ponies, brown in colour running in a field with windmill sails in the background at Guinea Hall Fen, Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire — Konik ponies at Guinea Hall Fen, Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire | © National Trust Images/Mike Selby

This 3-mile trail explores a varied landscape of reed beds, open water and wet grassland. Look out for dragonflies in summer and herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies.

Near to

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve

Start point

Wicken Fen National Trust visitor centre. Grid ref: TL563705

Trail information

View route

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2.75 (km: 4.4)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*A well-signed route along wide grassy paths (can be muddy). For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Mobility parking and adapted toilets. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs on leads welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Safety

Take care near waterways and ponds.

Address
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Lode Lane, Wicken, CB7 5XP. Grid ref: TL563705
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Ely train station (9 miles or 15km from Wicken Fen).
By bus
No12 from Cambridge to Ely (alight Soham High St, then 3 miles (5km) on footpaths to Wicken Fen).
Cycling
National Cycle Network route 11 passes the reserve boundary.
National Cycle Network
By road
Wicken Fen is 17 miles (27km) north-east of Cambridge and 3 miles (5km) west of Soham, just off A1123.
Dogs
Dogs on a short lead are welcome inside the visitor centre and shop, as well as the Docky Hut Café when you are choosing and ordering your food. We only allow assistance dogs on the Sedge Fen as this part of the Fen is home to several vulnerable, protected species. This includes the boardwalk, woodland walk and summer nature trail. Please do not let your dog jump in the water, as nests and birds are easily disturbed.
Car park
Parking: 120 yards.
Toilet
Located In the Learning Centre behind the café and main car park.
Café
Docky Café serves hot and cold drinks, light lunches and fresh cakes. Outdoor seating is available, limited number of indoor tables, or takeaway.
Shop
Located in the visitor centre and sells National Trust ranges, souvenirs, gift cards and guidebooks.
Cycle hire
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Wicken Fen National Trust visitor centre. Grid ref: TL563705
Stage 1
Check in at the visitor centre if you are a member or need information. As you exit, Wicken Lode is on your right. Follow the path keeping the water to your right. You will pass some ash trees and Wicken's Poor Fen on your left. This is common land. Traditionally local villagers had the right to collect sedge and peat from here.
Stage 2
Cross Monk's Lode at Norman's Bridge. Look out for plants like arrowhead and water lilies. Turn left after the bridge.
Brimstone butterfly on dandelion | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman
Stage 3
Walk through the double set of gates onto the grassy bank overlooking Baker’s Fen. Please ensure they are closed behind you, as our grazing animals use this crossing point between different areas of the fen.
Stage 4
Walk along this bank, known as Moore’s Drove, with views to your left over Baker’s Fen. This grassland is wet in winter and into spring, attracting waders, and is grazed by our herds of highland cattle and Konik ponies. Continue to the end of the path
Highland Cattle gathered around a pool of water at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images / Mike Selby
Stage 5
Turn right along the next path, and on your right is the site of Norman's Mill.
Norman's Mill
Originally used to drain the turf (peat) pits, Norman's Mill has been restored and can be seen on the Sedge Fen. On your left, roe deer can often also be seen. During the Second World War Dig for Victory campaign, the war office turned the fen into arable land. Now, we are leading the Wicken Vision, an ambitious habitat creation project, which plans to extend these historic wetlands to an area of over 50 square kilometres by 2099.
Stage 6
Note the reed beds on your left and the many birds and insects inhabiting them. Turn right again to walk alongside Wicken Lode. There is a squeeze gap and path on the right leading to West Mere Hide, used to overlook the mere's west end and the island.
Birdlife in the fens
In winter, spot wildfowl and wading birds in marshy areas, plus flocks of fieldfare and redwing on farmland. Lapwing, redshank, wigeon, bearded tit, heron and marsh harrier live here year round. Woodpecker nest in birch trees and barn owls hunt over the fen and grasslands. In spring, listen out for the loud boom of the highly secretive bittern. They faced extinction in the UK in the 1990s but are now increasing in numbers, thanks to conservation efforts.
Male reed bunting at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman
Stage 7
Continue past the sign for West Mere Hide. Go down the path to visit West Mere Hide to see what wildfowl are out on the mere.
Insects and plants
Over 4,000 insect species are found at Wicken Fen, including Britain's largest dragonfly, the emperor. Rafts of whirligig beetles skim over the surface of the ditches. See fenland plants like great fen sedge, hemp agrimony, meadowsweet, marsh pennywort, and the beautiful purple marsh pea. The ponds and ditches are home to yellow flag iris and greater bladderwort: a carnivorous plant that feeds on water fleas.
Stage 8
Return to the Wicken Lode bank, turn right and follow along the lode. Cross back over Normans Bridge and return towards the Visitor Centre.
End point
Wicken Fen National Trust visitor centre. Grid ref: TL563705
Trail map
Map route for Wicken Fen adventurers' trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Share your experience

Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XP

01353720274

wickenfen@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Safety

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 8

Total stages: 8

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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