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Cambridgeshire

Canoeing from Waterclose Meadows Campsite on the River Ouse, Cambridgeshire
Canoeing from Waterclose Meadows Campsite on the River Ouse, Cambridgeshire | © National Trust/John Miller

Discover fenland landscapes, grand houses, lush farmland and a myriad of waterways, cycle paths and wildlife in Cambridgeshire. You can stay in a cosy cottage on the edge of a nature reserve, a Georgian town house, converted stables, or camp next to the River Great Ouse.

Stay on the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve

Stay in one of the two holiday cottages right on the edge of the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve; a perfect holiday for wildlife enthusiasts, or anyone wanting to get into the outdoors without packing a tent. There's 2,000 acres of rare habitat to explore by foot, bike or boat, and with eight viewing hides around the reserve, it's a great place to spot and photograph animals. Families will find lots of activities and trails for children, and Cambridge is less than an hour's drive away. A group of up to six can book both Cladium and Wicken Rose Cottage to stay next door to each other.

The sitting room at Cladium, showing the two sofas, and glass doors to the back garden, Cambridgeshire

New - Cladium, Cambridgeshire 

With a double and a twin bedroom, plus a private garden, this is a great base for a family holiday in the outdoors. Sleeps four, dog friendly.

The exterior of semi-detatched holiday cottages on the edge of Wicken Fen. Cladium is on the left and Wicken Rose Cottage is on the right, Cambridgeshire

Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire 

This little cottage has an enclosed garden inspired by the nearby fen. Sleeps two, dog friendly.

Highland cattle next to visitors and staff boating at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Place
Place

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve 

The National Trust's oldest nature reserve, and England's most famous fen

Ely, Cambridgeshire

Partially open today
Visitors cycling at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
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Outdoor activities at Wicken Fen 

Explore the reserve on foot, with trails for all abilities, including the all-weather Boardwalk Trail, which is pushchair friendly. Or hire a bike or join a boat trip. The reserve is one of Europe's most important wetlands and your stay at these cottages will contribute to its care.

An adult and a juvenile crane flying one behind the other with long wings outstretched
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Over 9,000 species of plants and animals to discover 

There's an amazing array of wildlife to see, from bitterns and cuckoos in spring, through to rare orchids and dragonflies in summer, to hen harriers and short-eared owls in winter. Konik ponies and Highland cattle roam the wider reserve and, in 2024, a pair of rare cranes reared the first chick to fledge at Wicken Fen in 400 years!

A mixture of adults and children dipping nets into a pond

Events at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve 

From wildlife watching, to art and photography classes, to wellbeing walks, find out about the events happening at the reserve over the next few months...

Stay in Wisbech, near Peckover House and Garden

The small market town of Wisbech is the birthplace of one of the National Trust's founders, Octavia Hill. Much of the town's historic Georgian architecture still exists, including Wainman House, an elegant six-bedroom holiday cottage. There's also an old coach house nearby, which has been converted into two other cottages, Peckover Stable Lodge and Coach House Loft. Groups of up to 16 can stay within a short walk of each other, and visit Peckover House and Garden for free.

The brick exterior of Wainman House, nr Peckover House, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Wainman House, Cambridgeshire 

A Georgian house with neoclassical interiors, original features and a private terraced garden. Sleeps 12.

The exterior of Coach House Loft and Peckover Stable Lodge, Cambridgeshire

Peckover Stable Lodge, Cambridgeshire 

A cosy, converted coach house. Sleeps two, dog friendly.

The exterior of Coach House Loft, Cambridgeshire

Coach House Loft, Cambridgeshire 

A first-floor apartment in the eaves of a converted coach house. Sleeps two.

The sitting room at Wainman House, near Peckover House

A group getaway

Groups of up to 16 guests can stay within a short walk of each other in the three holiday cottages in Wisbech. Image: the sitting room at Wainman House, Cambridgeshire

Winter pruning of the Rose Arch at Peckover Gardens.
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Guests staying in the holiday cottages have their own key to Peckover's garden 

Explore the beautiful Victorian-style walled garden after-hours, which is known its roses and ancient orange trees.

View of the gardens and rear of Peckover house on a frosty day.
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Place

Discover 18th-century merchant life at Peckover House 

Elegant Georgian town house with wonderful walled garden

Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Closed now
Octavia Hill (1838 - 1912) (after John Singer Sargent) by Reginald Grenville Eves, RA (London 1876 ¿ Middleton in Teesdale 1941)
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Find out about Octavia Hill, one of the National Trust's founders, born in Wisbech 

One of three founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill is among the greatest social entrepreneurs in British history and the impact of her life and work is still felt today.

Camping and dog-friendly holidays

Waterclose Meadows Campsite, Cambridgeshire

Camping in Cambridgeshire 

With views over the Ouse Valley, Waterclose Meadows caters for caravans, motorhomes and tents, complete with electric hook-ups. Or for camping with a little added comfort, there are fully-equipped camping pods available.

A ranger walking is dog on a lead at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire

Discover dog-friendly holidays in Cambridgeshire 

Search for cottages and campsites that welcome dogs. Image: one of the dog-friendly trails at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire

You may also be interested in...

Explore holidays in neighbouring regions, or other cottages by a National Trust garden.

The exterior of The Round House, a National Trust holiday cottage with white walls built in a circular design. The house sits in a glade in a wooded area in summer.

Search for holiday cottages in Suffolk 

Image: The Round House, in the woodlands of the Ickworth Estate, Suffolk

The exterior of Chapel Lodge, Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough, Kings Lynn, Norfolk

Search for holiday cottages in Norfolk 

Image: Oxburgh Chapel Lodge, in the grounds of the Oxburgh Estate, Norfolk

The brick exterior of Gardens House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Search for holiday cottages by a National Trust garden 

Image: Ickworth Gardens House, which is alongside the walled garden, wildfower meadow and lake at the Ickworth Estate, Suffolk

The first double bedroom at The Slipway, Croyde, Devon

Book your holiday

Go on holiday to one of the places in our care for a trip filled with memories, while helping us look after these places well into the future. Image: The Slipway, Devon