Did you know
Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserve acts as a flood storage reservoir for 20,000 hectares of surrounding farmland
Visit Woodwalton Fen
Woodwalton Fen is one of Britain's oldest nature reserves and occupies a substantial site of 208ha north-east of Huntingdon. Its international importance has been repeatedly recognised in its designations as a RAMSAR site, a Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR).
The site features a mosaic of habitats that are interlaced with stretches of tranquil waterway and footpaths. It soon becomes clear to see why RAMSAR celebrated Woodwalton as as a 'particularly good example of a near natural wetland, which is characteristic of the biogeographical region'.
Woodwalton is a key component of the Great Fen Project and features a variety of fen habitats. The result is an attractive reserve with an impressive list of rare plants and animals. Habitats include purple moor grass meadows, tall fen and scrub communities, woodland, and other assembleges of grasses, sedges, herbs and mosses. The site also supports 47 red data book species of invertebrates and two very rare plants. Fen Violet is found in only two other places in Britain, whilst Fen woodrush is unique to the Great Fen in the UK. The total list of plants, insects, birds, and mammals runs into thousands.
The reserve is open to the public throughout the year. We regret that dogs are not allowed on the nature reserve in the interests of wildlife and people but are welcome on leads at Holme Fen. Visitor information, a road map showing how to get to the reserve, a reserve map and a feature on the Wildlife in the reserve are amongst the options provided by the menu above.
