As I was cycling from Cambridge to Ely, I passed Wicken Fen. I hadn’t realised I’d be doing this when plotting the route. However, it was no accident, since NCN Route 11 includes a section called The Lodes Way. This little route was put together by Sustrans and National Trust and links Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey, a place I would be visiting the following day.

Of course, since it was lunchtime when I arrived, I started off by having something to eat.

Wicken Fen Nature Reserve

Feeling refreshed, I set off for a walk around the nature reserve. Though I hadn’t realised it, I had already been exploring some of Wicken Fen on my bicycle.  

There are plenty of walking routes.

However, the heart of Wicken Fen is the Sedge Fens around which a good short walk to start with is the Boardwalk Trail. This starts at the Information Centre.

The Nature Reserve, of course, is known for its variety of wetland plants, birds and dragonflies.

There are also a couple of Hides.

There were boards all around the walk highlighting the variety of plant species and wildlife.

Another little walk is the Circular Woodland Walk.

Wicken Fen contains the last working wooden windpump in the Fens.

Fen Cottage & Workshop

Across the road from the information centre, sits Fen Cottage & Workshop.

It is one of the last surviving buildings in the little hamlet whose residents worked and lived on the Fens.

Records dating back to 1841 show the cottage being inhabited. Originally it was two cottages. However, it was knocked into one in 1925.

Four generations of the Butcher family lived here.

There was the original upstairs bedroom.

Then when it was made into one, further rooms became available.

It doesn’t take long to take a look around, however, it is a lovely little place.

There were the gardens, where all the vegetables and fruit were grown.

The family would even rear some livestock.

Finally, there was a little display of a Fenman’s workshop.

This gave a potted history of the skills, crafts and work that people living in the Fens would undertake.

Wicken Fen is a fascinating place, whether you have an hour, half a day, or more. It is well worth a visit. I had enjoyed my brief visit and would have liked to stay longer. Maybe that’s for another day.