Wicken Fen Summer Nature Trail
Look out for a wide array of wildlife on this easy walk through Wicken Fen, a unique wetlands habitat that is home to more than 9,000 species, including hen harriers, muntjac deer and Konik ponies. Visit three wildlife hides along the way, including the 10-metre Tower Hide, and experience their commanding views across the reserve. This trail is suitable for both active walkers and families alike.
Start point
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL563705Trail information
Restricted opening times
Please note, this trail is only available June – October. The numbered points 4 - 10 on this trail are incorrectly marked on the map, due to a glitch. The route description is accurate, please check the minor route variation between points 3 and 5 with a member of our welcome team at the Fen.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL563705
Stage 1
Starting from the back of the Visitor Centre turn right onto the boardwalk, heading towards the wind pump.
Stage 2
Follow the boardwalk in the direction of the wind pump. Before the advent of steam and diesel pumping engines, wind pumps were the main method used to drain turf pits and fields.
Stage 3
Continue ahead on the boardwalk until you reach the Roger Clarke Hide to your right.
Stage 4
Follow the path past the hide towards the Woodland Walk. The path takes you past old brick kilns.
Stage 5
Instead of heading straight into the Woodland Walk, turn left along Sedge Fen Drove, one of the oldest paths on the Fen, by which villagers could access their strips for cutting sedge.
Stage 6
Take the first path right (signposted) towards the outer edge of the Sedge Fen.
Stage 7
Follow the path along Mitchell's Drove, with Spinney Bank on your right, until you come to the Pump House where the trail turns sharp left.
The nature trail through Sedge Fen at Wicken Fen | © National Trust Images / Mike Selby Stage 8
Follow the trail south with Drainer’s Dyke, and Verrall’s Fen on the far back, on your right. You pass the Godwin Plots on your left, a ground-breaking ecological experiment started in 1920s and continued to this day.
Stage 9
Follow the path all the way to Wicken Lode. At the southern end, the trees are known as Godwin’s Triangle. This area, in contrast to the Godwin Plots, is never cut and therefore is now tree-covered.
Stage 10
The path passes the historic Tower Hide, built in the 1950s and thatched with Wicken sedge. It overlooks the Mere and Adventurers’ Fen, and gives good views of the differently cut strips on Sedge Fen.
Tower hide at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire | © National Trust Images/Wicken Fen Stage 11
The trail follows the drove along the waterway (or Lode) past a metal wind pump which draws calcium-rich water from Monks Lode and pumps it into ditches to irrigate Sedge Fen. With a working sedge field on your left, continue back to the Visitor Centre.
End point
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL565107
Trail map
Wicken Fen Nature Trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Wicken Fen Adventurers' Trail
A 3-mile walk, exploring new areas of wetland habitat, reed beds and the mere.
Wicken Fen boardwalk trail
A short walk around Wicken's ancient Sedge Fen, a unique remnant of undrained fenland.
Four Lodes Trail at Wicken Fen
Explore part of Wicken Fen following the four Lodes on a trail is a great walk for catching a glimpse of grazing herds including Konik ponies and Highland cattle. Stop off at one of the hides to look for bittern, waterfowl and marsh harriers. It's the perfect walk for all the family to enjoy this season.
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