Monk's Lode and Wicken village walk, Wicken Fen, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Starting at the Wicken Fen Visitor-centre this walk takes you along Monk's Lode through areas of new wetland habitat and up into Wicken village. A very short detour will bring you to the Maids Head Public House.
Wildlife
In summer look out for Kingfishers and dragonflys; wildfowl and short-eared owls in winter. Ideal for families.
Map
Start:
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL5651070686
1
Take a look in the Visitor Centre to find out more about the wildlife and history of Wicken Fen. As you exit retracing your steps, Wicken Lode is on your right. Follow the path keeping the water to your right. Edmund's Fen & Wicken's Poor's Fen is on your left. Traditionally local villagers had the right to harvest sedge and peat from here.
2
Cross Monk's Lode at Norman's Bridge. Turn left after the bridge and follow the path. On your right is Baker's Fen, a good place to see wildfowl, lapwings, short-eared owls and Wicken's herds of konik ponies and highland cattle. When the gravel path comes to an end keep walking along the riverbank.
Short-eared owls
Keep an eye open for short-eared owls. They can sometimes be seen in this area.
3
You will come to a footbridge over Monk's Lode. Cross this bridge and continue along the hard path across a field towards Wicken village.
4
As you enter Wicken village the footpath turns to the left and the road straight ahead of you is Cross Green. If you would like to stop off for some refreshment at the Maid's Head P.H. take a short detour at this junction and go straight on along Cross Green until you come to the High Street (A1123), cross the road and the P.H. is directly ahead of you. If, however, you do not want to visit the Maid's Head P.H. take the footpath to the left, which passes Wicken Windmill. The footpath runs into Back Lane and eventually joins Lode Lane.
5
THIS STEP ONLY APPLIES TO THE DETOUR TO THE MAID'S HEAD P.H. After leaving the Maid's Head P.H. return to the High Street and cross over, then turn right.
6
THIS STEP ONLY APPLIES TO THE DETOUR TO THE MAID'S HEAD P.H. Walk along the High Street (ignore the first turning on the left which leads to Wicken Windmill), turn left into a small lane with a footpath sign for King's Way.
7
THIS STEP ONLY APPLIES TO THE DETOUR TO THE MAID'S HEAD P.H. After a short distance a footpath crosses the side street. Turn right onto the footpath which runs into Back Lane eventually meeting Lode Lane.
8
Turn left onto Lode Lane and follow the lane down to the Wicken Fen Car Park and Visitor Centre.
End:
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL5651070686
