Great Fen

Aerial image of Woodwalton Fen
Living Landscapes

Great Fen

The Great Fen is one of the largest restoration projects of its type in Europe. Through this 50 year project, the landscape of the fens between Peterborough and Huntingdon is being transformed for the benefit both of wildlife and of people.

Marsh harrier over reeds

Marsh harrier - Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

The fens of Eastern England once comprised Britain's largest wilderness, stretching hundreds of miles between Cambridge to Lincoln. They held an abundance of wildlife that is hard to imagine today. The few records we have describe enormous flocks of birds and a wealth of invertebrate, animal and botanical life.

In the 17th century the land started to be drained for farming and now more than 99% of this habitat with many rare species of plants and animals have been lost. Two of the last fragments, the National Nature Reserves (NNRs) of Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen, are now too small and isolated to provide a safe haven for rare wildlife in the long term.

 

In 2001, the Wildlife Trust in Cambridgeshire and our Great Fen Partners embarked on an ambitious 50-year project to connect these precious fragments and to create a vast, enriched fen landscape that is good for people and for wildlife. One of the largest restoration projects of its type in Europe, the project area lies between Peterborough and Huntingdon and covers 14 square miles (over 9,000 acres) in total.

Restoration of the Great Fen will also help mitigate climate change as natural habitats like woods, meadows and wetlands store greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. We are also pioneering new wet farming techniques through our Water Works project. These techniques are aimed at restoring peatland. Loss of peat in the fens is one of the greatest causes of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.

Find out more about the Great Fen

 

The Great Fen is the result of a partnership project by the Wildlife Trust BCN, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Huntingdonshire District Council and the Middle Level Commissioners and was first established through a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Great Fen - Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre

The Great Fen Countryside Centre

Visit the Great Fen Countryside Centre to participate in events and activities at the Great Fen. We provide opportunities to learn about wildlife for all ages.

Visit
Image: Woodwalton Fen - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Woodwalton Fen - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Nature Reserve

Explore our nature reserve page with details of each of the National Nature Reserves of Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen, plus other areas that are part of this exciting project.

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Contact the Great Fen

Contact number: 01487 710420

Contact email: info@greatfen.org.uk

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