Days out
Fen Drayton Lakes
Fen DraytonOpenSee opening timesOnce a working quarry, Fen Drayton Lakes is now a haven for Hobbies, Otters, waterbirds, Swallows and Swifts – and walkers, of course.
About
⚠ The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for this area. As flooding is likely, or in progress, all facilities at Fen Drayton Lakes are closed. For your safety, please do not attempt to access the reserve as water can rise quickly to cover sections of the road and footpaths ⚠
Fen Drayton Lakes began life as a flooded sand and gravel quarry next to riverside meadows. Now a huge variety of wildlife is drawn to the area, including Otters, dragonflies, ducks, swans and geese. There's something to see (and hear) all year round at this Cambridgshire nature reserve.
The reserve stands at one end of a string of wetlands and fens that runs for 25 miles (40km) along the Great Ouse floodplain. It's made up of a variety of habitats, including open water and wetland mixed with grassland, scrub and woodland.
The RSPB has been looking after Fen Drayton Lakes since 2007. We’ve been transforming the lakes and meadows into an even better home for nature. We’re creating more wildlife-friendly features, such as sheltered bays around the lake edges and shallow pools or “scrapes” in the wetland margins. Here ducks and other waterbirds can rest and feed.
Where there was once just bare sand and gravel, you can now hear the sounds of nature again, and watch Great Crested Grebes performing their astonishing courtship dances, against the backdrop of blue lakes, lush, green meadows and the wooded fringes of the river valley.
You’re never far from water and wildlife here; it surrounds you wherever you wander. Explore the woods and catch glimpses of secluded bays and pools. You won’t be able to miss majestic Mute Swans on the lakes, but you’ll need to look a little harder to see the many colourful insects. The riverside meadows are alive with nature – reeds rustling, birds warbling, grasshoppers chirping and bees buzzing.
This site was awarded funding by the Thalia WB Community Fund through the Landfill Communities Fund 2023.
At a glance
Pay for parking via the Pay By Phone app. Location code: 808281
50 spaces One Blue Badge space. Rolled gravel surface. No formal drop off point. There are no height restrictions. No lighting.
Main car park at grid ref: TL342690.
We have an accessible portaloo in the carpark.
We don’t have any baby changing facilities here. The nearest facilities are located at Cambridge Services, A14, Junction 24.
Prior to your visit, please contact the reserve directly for detailed information.
Prior to your visit, please contact the reserve directly for detailed information. Routes on a range of surfaces including hard surfaces, rolled gravel and grass. Mostly flat, some gentle slopes. Kissing gates and bridle gates may be encountered along some of the paths.
We have an accessible portaloo in the carpark. There are further public toilets at Cambridge Services, A14, Junction 24.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths, bridleways and most of the routes on the reserve. Please keep to these designated routes only.
We have two areas where dogs are not allowed, as disturbance to wildlife is likely. These are at Moore Lake hide and the path up to and including the seasonal viewpoint at Ferry Mere. No dogs are permitted here other than assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Contact Fen Drayton Lakes
fendraytonlakes@rspb.org.uk Fen Drayton Lakes, Fen Drayton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB24 4RB 01954 233260