Darlow's Farm and Middle Farm
Reserve Information
Location
Access Middle and Darlow's Farm through Woodwalton Fen. Woodwalton Fen is at the end of Chapel Road in Ramsey Heights village (Sat Navs may list 'Heights Drove Road').
Great for...
Seeing the vast fen landscapes. You can look across to the woodland of Holme Fen in the distance and know that, in time, the Great Fen will stretch that far.
Size
Total of 664 acres (269 hectares)
Top 3 Things to do and see
- Scan the fields for raptors and other birds.
- Take a walk across to Middle Farm.
- See the attractive Hereford and Highland cattle.
Grazing Animals
Hereford and Highland cattle graze this site throughout the year.
Parking
Parking is at Woodwalton Fen. Turn right before the entrance to the nature reserve for free parking along the Great Raverley drain. Not suitable for coaches.
Blue badge holder parking: Parking is at Woodwalton Fen. Blue badge holder parking is available to book in the staff car park, usually open 8am - 4pm, Monday to Friday. Please contact Alan Bowley (site manager) to arrange.
Middle Farm and Darlow's Farm lie to the west and north of Woodwalton Fen.
Habitats and species
From the western and northern banks of Woodwalton Fen you can enjoy views across this complex of wet meadows where Highland and other cattle can be seen grazing.
At any time of year, birds of prey can be seen quartering above the flat landscape and the western bank of Woodwalton Fen provides a great watch point. Marsh Harriers can be seen all year round and an occasional Hen Harrier in winter. Short-eared, Barn and Little Owls are all regularly present. During recent winters, flocks of resident Mute Swans have begun to be joined by Whoopers from their breeding grounds in Iceland. In spring the drumming display flight of Snipe is an increasing possibility and the haunting calls of breeding Lapwing can be enjoyed from the bank. Many Skylarks are present all year, as are Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings. The grazing cattle are often attractive to Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings sing from any available perch.
Take a look at the recent wildlife sightings page.
An exciting development since restoration started has been the arrival of the majestic Common Crane. This species disappeared from the fenland landscape about 400 years ago due to habitat change and hunting, but they occasionally made an appearance during their spring migration, en route to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia. In recent years, a small population has begun to re-establish in Eastern England and in 2008 a pair spent late spring and summer on Middle and Darlow's Farms. There are seen regularly on the Nene Washes, a few miles to the north and there is every likelihood that they will colonise the Great Fen as the fen habitat is restored. Have a look at this page for more details.
Explore on a trail
You can take the 2 km (one way) walk from Woodwalton Fen across to Middle Farm. Access to the farm is from the western bank of Woodwalton Fen following a waymarked path and through two small wooden gates. However, be prepared for uneven ground and often extremely muddy conditions. At the moment you will need to return the way you came but circular routes are planned for the future. Darlow's and Middle Farm are extremely senstive areas, for breeding birds in particular, only assistance dogs are allowed on these sites.
Have a look at a map of Woodwalton Fen to see the pathway to Middle Farm.
Other Great Fen reserves to visit nearby
Woodwalton Fen
The visit Woodwalton Fen page has more details on this site.
The Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre
Please see the Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre page for more details.
Great Fen Information Point (New Decoy Farm)
This reserve opened in March 2013. There are maps and information about the Great Fen and you can walk around some of the previously cultivated fields that are now being restored. Details are here.
Holme Fen
Take a look at the visit Holme Fen page for more details on that site.
