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Ely, Cambridgeshire

Cladium

The exterior of Cladium on the left and the neighbouring semi-detached cottage, Wicken Rose Cottage, on the right, Cambridgeshire
Cladium on the left and the neighbouring cottage, Wicken Rose Cottage, on the right, Cambridgeshire | © National Trust/Mike Henton
An aerial view of Cladium and its garden on the left, with Wicken Fen Visitor Centre in the background, Cambridgeshire
Konik ponies on Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire

Cladium

This little cottage is on the edge of 2,000 acres of rare landscape, filled with wildlife, at the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve.

Grid of 18 images
An aerial view of Cladium and its garden on the left, with Wicken Fen Visitor Centre in the background, Cambridgeshire
Konik ponies on Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire
The exterior of Cladium on the left and the neighbouring semi-detached cottage, Wicken Rose Cottage, on the right, Cambridgeshire
The exterior of Cladium on the left and the neighbouring semi-detached cottage, Wicken Rose Cottage, on the right, Cambridgeshire
An aerial view of the Wicken Fen Visitor Centre behind Cladium, Cambridgeshire
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire
A signpost for one of the trails  at Wicken Fen, near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve near Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, Cambridgeshire
Plants at sunset on Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, Cambridgeshire
The Tower Hide on the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, CambridgeshireWicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, Cambridgeshire
Male reed bunting singing from a perch at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
A path on Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, Cambridgeshire
Visitors on a boat trip at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
The wind pump on Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, Cambridgeshire
Bittern flapping his wings at Wicken Fen
The wind pump on Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Cladium, Cambridgeshire

© National Trust/Mike Henton

This little cottage is on the edge of 2,000 acres of rare landscape, filled with wildlife, at the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve.

At a glance

Guests
4
Bedrooms
2
Number of dogs welcome
2
Reference
010068
Acorn rating

About Cladium

Cladium is a small cottage on the edge of Wicken Fen, the National Trust's oldest nature reserve. With trails from the front door through wetlands and woodland, it's a great base for a family holiday in the outdoors.

Glass doors from the sitting room look onto a private, lawned garden, with a place to sit and relax after a day exploring the fen. The garden is surrounded by hazel fencing and hedges, offering a safe place for children and dogs to play, and a home for birds and other wildlife. 

The cottage is named after a grass-like plant that grows nearby, one of over 9,000 species at Wicken Fen. You might spot the herds of pale Konik ponies and Highland cattle that graze the area, or dragonflies, hen harriers, water voles, owls and warblers as you wander through the reserve. Your stay at Cladium will contribute to the care of this important habitat. 

Take a walk along the raised boardwalk, hire a bike from the visitor centre, join a boat trip, or take part in one of the many wildlife, artistic or wellbeing events at Wicken Fen. The café and visitor centre are nearby, and it's only a five-minute walk to Wicken Village. 

Once you've explored the nature reserve, there's plenty to do in the area. The National Cycle Network (Route 11) 'Lodes Way' covers over 25 miles of scenic tracks from Ely Cathedral to Cambridge, with options for short and long rides. You’ll have free entry to National Trust places during your stay, including Anglesey Abbey, which is a 20-minute drive away and is also accessible on foot or bike via Route 11. It's also less than an hour's drive to Cambridge.

Cladium is a semi-detached cottage, joined to Wicken Rose Cottage (sleeps two). Both cottages can be booked together.

Layout

Ground floor: Dining room, with shoe bench and pegs for coats. Open archway into sitting room, with glass doors into the back garden. Kitchen with views of the garden. Bathroom with shower over bath.

First floor: Small bedroom with king-size bed. Small twin bedroom (with 1.8m long beds) with storage drawers under beds and pegs on the wall.

Outside space

Private garden with a lawn, enclosed by hazel fencing and hedges. Patio with table and chairs. Covered bike storage.

Features and facilities

  • Wi-Fi, not available
  • Garden, available
  • EV charging, not available
  • Fridge, available
  • Freezer, available
  • Microwave, available
  • Open fire / wood burner, not available
  • Television, available
  • DVD, available
  • Washing machine, available
  • Dishwasher, available
  • Tumble dryer, not available
  • BBQ, not available
  • Cot & high chair, available

Location

Accessibility

Steps into cottage. Parking space is next to the neighbouring cottage. Bathroom is on the ground floor. Enclosed back garden. We are waiting for a full accessibility guide and photos for this cottage. Accessibility questions? Email holiday.enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 0344 800 2070.

More information

Photographs: We are waiting for internal photos of this cottage, which will be available soon.

Parking: There is a reserved space for one car for Cladium, next to Wicken Rose Cottage. Additional cars can park in the visitor car park, which is a few minutes’ walk away. 

Please note: Cladium is joined to Wicken Rose Cottage, so you may occasionally hear your neighbours. It is also near the visitor centre and there is foot traffic on the road in front of the cottage throughout the day and into the evening, as people access Wicken Fen. However, the hedges provide privacy.

There may be some noise from nearby livestock, including cockerels crowing at dawn.

Dogs: Please note that dogs are not allowed on some trails on Wicken Fen. Find information here.

Heating: The cottage is heated by electric panel heaters and there is an electric fire in the sitting room.

Offers: Guests will benefit from a late Sunday checkout of 4pm at this cottage.

Free entry to National Trust places, during opening hours, for the duration of your stay. This includes the Sedge Fen at the reserve, and there are trails you can use after hours. Please show your booking confirmation upon entry.

Cycle hire is available at Wicken Fen daily from April to October. Guests staying at Cladium can benefit from a 10% discount during their stay by showing their booking confirmation at the Visitor Centre.

Book together...

The exterior of Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire

Wicken Rose Cottage, Cambridgeshire 

A cosy semi-detached cottage next to Cladium, on the edge of the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve. Sleeps two, dog friendly.

Your top three questions answered

Things to see and do at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve...

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

Fully open today
A family with a pushchair and a young child running ahead walk along the boardwalk at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, with sedge growing on either side and mature trees in the distance
Article
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.

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

Visiting Wicken Fen 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.

Ducks and birds on wetted fen
Activity
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.

Male reed bunting singing from a perch at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Article
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.

Migrant Hawker Dragonfly at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire
Trail
Trail

Wicken Fen boardwalk trail 

Cambridgeshire

A short walk around Wicken's ancient Sedge Fen, a unique remnant of undrained fenland.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.7 (km: 1.12)
A mixture of adults and children dipping nets into a pond

Events at Wicken Fen 

Take a look at the events we have coming up over the next few months.

Exploring the area...

The south front of Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire with sheep in the foreground
Area
Area

Cambridgeshire 

With distinctive fenland landscapes, grand houses and lush farmland, discover all there is to see at National Trust places in Cambridgeshire, in East Anglia.

Walkers in warm coats and hats walk their dog through autumn leaves, with the white boarded exterior of Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire, in the distance
Place
Place

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill 

Jacobean-style house with gardens and watermill

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Fully open today
Autumn Rotunda, Ickworth, Suffolk
Place
Place

Ickworth Estate 

An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Partially open today
A view over Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire, in autumn
Place
Place

Wimpole Estate 

A living working estate, guided by the seasons with an impressive mansion, parkland, gardens and rare breed farm.

Royston, Cambridgeshire

Partially open today
The south front of Peckover House and Garden, Cambridgeshire
Place
Place

Peckover House and Garden 

Elegant Georgian town house with wonderful walled garden

Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Fully open today