Wicken Fen - Summer Nature Trail, Cambridgeshire
This article was created before the coronavirus crisis, and may not reflect the current situation. Please check our homepage for the most up to date information about visiting. This trail is open between May and September. Enjoy the wildlife in this unique habitat on an easy walk. Visit 3 wildlife hides including the 10 metre Tower Hide, with commanding views across the reserve. Suitable for active walkers and families.
Map
Start:
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL5651070686
1
Starting from the back of the Visitor Centre turn right onto the boardwalk, heading towards the wind pump.
Wicken Fen's boardwalk
Our boardwalk is made from recycled plastic and is a hardwearing and user friendly surface, suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.
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.
Wooden wind pump
This wooden wind pump 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 nineteenth century, where it was used to drain peat workings. It was moved to its current location 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 wind pump in the fens.
3
Continue ahead on the Boardwalk trail until you reach the Roger Clarke hide to your right.
If you have time, visit the hide. Overlooking old flooded clay pits, once used for brick making, the Roger Clarke hide is an ideal place to watch dragonflies and small birds. Keep an eye out for Kingfishers too.
4
Follow the path past the hide towards the Woodland Walk. The path takes you past the old brick kilns and through the bog oak field.
Brick Making In The Fens
In 1869 one, John Owers, a brick-maker from nearby Soham, bought a plot of land on the eastern edge of Sedge Fen. From 1880 the brickyard was in full operation; with a kiln and a wind pump to keep the pits dry. By 1901 the yard had fallen into disuse.
5
At the gate to the rear of the bog oak field, turn left following the nature trail sign.
6
When you come to the point at which several paths cross, turn right following the nature trail sign.
Fen Meadow
On your left the grassland is an important area of species-rich fen meadow. This is cut annually in the autumn.
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 engine in the pump house drains water from surrounding farmland into the dyke.
8
Follow the trail south with Drainers Dyke on your right. On your left you will pass a tower hide built in 2001. This hide provides views over Verrall's Fen.
Tall Fen and Sedge Fen Drove
On your left the vegetation is noticeably taller. This is called tall herb fen consisting of sedge, milk parsley and reeds etc.. It is managed on a three-year cycle. Also on your left is a track or pathway. This is Sedge Fen Drove, one of the oldest roadways on the fen, dating back to the fourteenth century.
9
Follow the path past a stand of Birch trees. Birch and alder are home to countless insects and are favored woodpecker nest sites. Continue past Gardener's Drove until to come to a waterway. Turn left.
10
Tower Hide - the path passes another tower hide on the left. This hide was built in the 1950's and it overlooks the Mere and Adventurer's Fen.
Look out for marsh harriers in summer and hen harriers in winter. You may also be able to see some Konik Ponies and highland cattle on Baker's Fen.
11
Sedge Fen - on your left you will pass a working sedge field, with strips cut every three years in summer. 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. Continue back to the Visitor Centre.
Sedge was a valuable fenland crop, and has been harvested in this way at Wicken Fen since 1419.
End:
Wicken Fen Visitor Centre, grid ref: TL5651070686
