Cambridgeshire

Wicken Fen boardwalk trail

Take a short walk around the boardwalk at Wicken's ancient Sedge Fen, a unique remnant of undrained fenland, and you could spot hen harriers in winter, rare fen flowers in spring and summer, and amazing fenland sunsets year-round.

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 5

Start point

Wicken Fen visitor centre, Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP. Grid ref: TL563705.

Step 1

Starting from the visitor centre, turn right onto the boardwalk trail, heading towards the windpump.

Three birdwatchers with binoculars and a tripod silhouetted against a deep orange sunset at Wicken Fen, Cambs — Birdwatching at sunset at Wicken Fen, Cambs | © National Trust/Nick Palmer

Step 2

Follow the boardwalk in the direction of the windpump. Before the advent of steam and diesel pumping engines, windpumps were the main method used to drain turf pits and fields.

Wooden windpump

This wooden windpump was originally located near Harrison's Drove on the edge of Adventurers' Fen, and was one of six used to drain the turf pits in the latter part of the 19th century, where it was used to drain peat workings. It was moved here in 1956, and restored in the 1960s. Lord Fairhaven of nearby Anglesey Abbey paid for much of the restoration. Today it is the last working wooden windpump in the fens.

Reeds and windpump beyond at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire — Reeds and windpump beyond at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Step 3

From the windpump continue on the boardwalk and then turn left through the carr (a wet woodland of mainly willow and alder, the name deriving from the old Norse 'kjarr', meaning a swamp), and then eventually crossing the vast open expanse of Sedge Fen.

Step 4

Take a moment to pop into the Boardwalk Hide, up the path to your right. From here you can look out over sedge fields, cut every four years, as well as beyond towards Verrall's Fen in the distance. There is lots of information in the hide about the different habitats at the Fen. As you continue on the Boardwalk, you cross over one of the many ditches on the Sedge Fen. Look out for the top of the Tower Hide visible in the distance over the sedge fields to your right. It is thatched with sedge.

Step 5

When you get to the lode bank, you can turn right to look out across Wicken Lode's junction with Monk's Lode. You can sense that the Sedge Fen where you are is on higher ground than the land on the other side of the lodes, where drainage has resulted in the peat shrinking. Turn to the left to follow the boardwalk back to the visitor centre. In summer when the summer nature trail is open (red dashed path on the map) you can turn right along the grass path to visit the Tower Hide. (The grass path and the Tower Hide are not accessible.) Alternatively, turn left to follow the boardwalk back to the Visitor Centre.

End point

Wicken Fen visitor centre, Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP. Grid ref: TL563705.

Trail map

Kingfisher at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire

Trail

Wicken Fen Adventurers' Trail

A 3-mile walk, exploring new areas of wetland habitat, reed beds and the mere.

An autumn day view of Quy Water with Lode mill in the background at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire

Trail

Beyond Anglesey Abbey walk

A 4.6-mile family friendly walk along footpaths among the flat, Cambridgeshire fenland landscapes taking in waterways, Lode Mill and the villages of Stow-cum-Quy and Lode.

A view of Houghton Mill across the river in winter, Cambridgeshire

Trail

St Ives and the Hemingfords walk

Discover unspoiled villages and an old market town, alongside water meadows and the delightful Ouse valley landscape, on the St Ives and The Hemingfords walk.

Trail

Houghton Mill and Houghton Meadows walk

Follow this circular walk across the water meadows and over the Ouse valley landscape as you discover the history of the local area.

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

01353720274

wickenfen@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

The Docky Hut Cafe at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire

Article

Eating and shopping at Wicken Fen

Visit the Docky Hut Café and try our freshly baked sausage rolls and hot snacks or buy a gift in the shop as a souvenir of your visit.

Activity

Outdoor activities at Wicken Fen

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

Visitors exploring the Green Trail at the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

Article

Top accessible walks

Find out more about the places in our care with accessible trails to explore with pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility aids. Get out in nature without having to go off the beaten track.

A large tree in autumn with bright yellow, orange and green leaves and a carpet of leaves on the ground at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire

Walking in Cambridgeshire

From peaceful strolls through the Victorian garden at Peckover House to wetland wanders at Wicken Fen, these are some of the best walks in Cambridgeshire.

Visitor crossing water via stepping stones with their dog on an autumnal walk at Wallington

Walking

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Article

Staying safe at National Trust places

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.