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Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
The National Trust's oldest nature reserve, and England's most famous fen
Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XP
Important notice
Please note that due to the high rainfall this year so far, the Summer Nature Trail is still too wet to open. We are monitoring the paths regularly and will open it, either in part or in full, as soon as we are able. Thank you for your understanding.
Opening times for 1 June 2024
Asset Opening time Nature reserve 10:00 - 17:00 Café 10:00 - 17:00 Car Park Dawn - Dusk Cycle hire 10:00 - 16:30 Shop 09:30 - 17:00 Visitor Centre 09:30 - 17:00 For the summer months this year our Visitor Centre, shop and Sedge Fen will be open on Thursday evenings until 8pm. We are offering different walks and activities to enjoy on these evenings too, please see our events list. Our NT pizza van will be operating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until 8pm (but we reserve the right to not open if it's pouring with rain... ) Nature Reserve closes before 5pm when dusk is earlier Cycle Hire - bikes must be returned by closing time; for full 2 hours' hire, therefore, last hire is 2.30pm
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Cars £3.20 Sedge Fen
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £9.90 £9.00 Child £5.00 £4.50 Family £24.80 £22.50 Family 1 adult £14.90 £13.50 Group Adult £8.10 Group Child £4.05 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Cafe
The Docky Hut cafe is next to the Visitor Centre.
Shop
The shop is in the Visitor Centre; there is also a small selection of second-hand books.
Car park
Our car park is located mid way down Lode Lane; follow the lane on foot to find the Visitor Centre, cafe and start of all walks on the Fen. Members need to scan their membership card for a free parking ticket; non-members pay and display is £3.
Toilet
Toilets are in the car park, and also in the Learning Centre located behind the cafe.
Dogs
Dogs under close control are welcome on Adventurers' Fen and the wider reserve paths, as well as in the Visitor Centre/shop. Assistance dogs only on Sedge Fen (Boardwalk, Woodland Walk and Summer Nature Trail)
Blue Badge parking and drop-off point. Accessible toilets and routes. Wheelchairs available. Assistance dogs on Sedge Fen.
Accessible route and/or map
Our circular Boardwalk and Woodland Walk on Sedge Fen are accessible routes, including access into two hides. Assistance dogs only on these routes. The Lodes Way cycle path going out towards Adventurers' Fen is also accessible. All dogs under close control welcome on this route.
Level access to food outlet
Accessible toilet
There are accessible toilets in both the car park and Learning Centre toilets.
Level access to shop
Designated parking
There are designated parking spaces in our main car park, plus two in front of the Visitor Centre.
Level access/terrain
Drop-off point
Dropping off in front of the Visitor Centre is possible.
Seating available
Benches are located around the Boardwalk, fewer on other walking routes.
Induction loop
Wheelchairs available
By road
South of Wicken (A1123), 3 miles west of Soham (A142), 9 miles south of Ely, 17 miles north-east of Cambridge via A10
Parking: 120 yards. Pay and display, £3.20 non-members, free for members.
By train
The closest train stations are Ely 9 miles; Soham 5 miles. Taxis are usually available at Ely, and you can also join the National Cycle Network route 11 to Wicken at Ely station if you have brought bikes on the train.
By bicycle
NCN11 from Ely; Lodes Way from Anglesey Abbey and local villages
Planning your visit
Article
The history of Wicken Fen
We’ve cared for Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve for over 125 years. Discover its history and how we continue to look after this very special place.
Project
Project
Wicken Fen Vision
Learn how we’re planning to care for Wicken Fen Nature Reserve with an ambitious vision to create and preserve a diverse landscape for people and for the wildlife that lives here.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Wicken Fen
If outdoor activities and learning about nature sound like a good day out for your family, Wicken Fen is the right place for you. Discover everything you need to plan your family day out, from events and activities for kids to hiring bikes.
Article
School visits to Wicken Fen
Plan a school visit to Wicken Fen for an inspiring backdrop to an adventurous day of learning. Find out about the activities and facilities available, how to book and more.
Article
Visiting us with your dog
Wicken Fen is a two pawprint rated place. To help us ensure our visitors, dogs and wildlife get along together, there are a few do’s and don’ts to take note of if you’re bringing your dog with you. Find out more here.
Wicken Rose Cottage
With an abundance of wildlife and walks from the doorstep, this semi-detached cottage offers a snug spot for two.
Article
Explore the Nature Reserve at Wicken Fen
Explore the diverse landscape at Wicken Fen, abundant with wildlife, flora and fauna. Discover the ancient Sedge Fen, grazing herds of Konik ponies and the iconic windpump.
Highlights
Sedge Fen
Paths lead through the historic undrained core of the Fen, lush with wetland plants and rich in wildlife.
Adventurers' Fen
Wet grassland, reedbeds, and the Mere attract wildfowl and waders. Grazed by herds of Konik ponies and Highland cattle.
Burwell Fen and beyond
Landscape-scale nature conservation in action, with wildlife moving in as Wicken Fen grows.
Fen Cottage
Traditional fenland cottage, built using local materials, and furnished in 1930s style. Fenman's workshop in the garden.
Windpump
Working wooden windpump, the last in the Fens. Occasionally in action.
Visitor Centre
Information about sightings, routes and activities. Large windows overlooking the Sedge Fen; family discovery area to inspire your visit.
Docky Hut Café
Docky Hut Café offers light lunches, hot and cold drinks, cakes and other treats, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Visitor Centre shop
Gifts, homeware, garden accessories and local produce, plus nature- and wildlife-inspired books.
Spotlight events
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Wicken Fen
Discover everything you need to plan your family day out, from events and activities for kids to hiring bikes.
Mucky Pups
Outdoor adventures at Wicken Fen, for pre-school children who enjoy getting grubby. Each session has a different theme and all take place outside. Booking essential.
Things to see and do
Article
Wildlife at Wicken Fen
Wicken Fen was the first nature reserve to be managed by the National Trust. Today it’s one of Europe's most important wetlands and home to over 9,000 species.
Article
Explore the Nature Reserve at Wicken Fen
Explore the diverse landscape at Wicken Fen, abundant with wildlife, flora and fauna. Discover the ancient Sedge Fen, grazing herds of Konik ponies and the iconic windpump.
Press release
See the Koniks featured on BBC Wild Isles
If you've been watching BBC Wild Isles narrated by Sir David Attenborough, you will have seen Wicken Fen's Konik ponies. See the herd for yourself, including its newest arrival.
Outdoor activities
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.
Top trails
Trail
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.
Trail
Wicken Fen Adventurers' Trail
A 3-mile walk, exploring new areas of wetland habitat, reed beds and the mere.
Trail
Wicken Fen boardwalk trail
A short walk around Wicken's ancient Sedge Fen, a unique remnant of undrained fenland.
Eating and shopping
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.
Upcoming events
Event
Building Bricks Wetland Workshop- Model Viewing Session
What might you find at Wicken Fen in another 125 years' time? Come and look at what people have made during our workshops: Windpumps, artifacts, wildlife and so much more!
Event
'We need to talk about Peat' Walk
What is going on with peat at the Fen. As part of the Fens East Peat Partnership, we're undertaking large-scale projects to keep our deep peat wet, and to rewet other areas of peat - a vital tool in the fight against climate change.
Event
Fen Flowers Walk
Discover the fen flora on the historic Sedge Fen, with our expert guide. We are happy to offer this walk as part of our Summer Evenings programme.
Event
Botanical Illustration Workshop
Inspired by the flora of the Fens? Join us for a day long workshop to learn the basics of Botanical Illustration
Event
Led Cycle Ride to Burwell Fen
An special event for Bike Week 2024, join us for a guided bike ride, as part of our summer evenings programme
Event
Evening Boat Ride
Join us on a relaxing boat ride down Wicken Lode. We are happy to offer this activity as part of our Summer Evenings programme.
About Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
Wicken Fen, one of Europe's most important wetlands, supports an abundance of wildlife. There are more than 9000 species, including a spectacular array of plants, birds and dragonflies.
The raised boardwalk and lush grass droves allow easy access to a lost landscape of flowering meadows, sedge and reedbeds, where you can encounter rarities such as hen harriers, water voles and bitterns.
Wicken Fen Vision, an ambitious landscape-scale conservation project, is opening up new areas of land to explore. Our grazing herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies are helping to create a diverse range of new habitats.
History
Article
The history of Wicken Fen
We’ve cared for Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve for over 125 years. Discover its history and how we continue to look after this very special place.
News
Celebrating 125 years at Wicken Fen
On 1st May 2024, we celebrated our 125th anniversary at Wicken Fen as well as 25 years of the Wider Wicken Vision Project.
Watch: 25 years of the wider Wicken Vision Project
1 May 2024 marked 125 years since the National Trust acquired two hectares at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire. It also marked 25 years since the wider Wicken Vision was launched, a 100 year plan to protect this special place for wildlife and people.
Our work
News
Wicken Fen's 125th anniversary
Wicken Fen marks landmark 125th anniversary by announcing restoration plans to help ensure rare fenland endures for generations to come.
News
The Turtle Dove Project
The National Trust has recently acquired 70 acres of land near Wicken Fen which will be used to create a habitat for turtle doves – one of the UK’s most vulnerable species.
Turning on the tap
Six taps have been turned on across Wicken Fen, to help create a winter wetland for wildlife and reduce CO2 emissions. As gravity enables water to flow from the higher lodes across the fens, more wildfowl are returning to make this national nature reserve their home for the winter.
Article
Our work at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve
Learn about some of the work we carry out at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve throughout the year to conserve this important landscape for visitors, plants and animals alike.
Press release
Koniks feature on BBC Wild Isles
If you watched BBC Wild Isles narrated by Sir David Attenborough, you will have seen Wicken Fen's Konik ponies. Find out more about the herd, its newest arrival and the ranger looking after them.
Project
Project
Wicken Fen Vision
Learn how we’re planning to care for Wicken Fen Nature Reserve with an ambitious vision to create and preserve a diverse landscape for people and for the wildlife that lives here.
Article
How to spot water voles
Discover how to identify burrows, food, footprints and latrines, and how to tell the difference between water voles and brown rats, even when they're swimming.