Events at Lakenheath Fen
Discover exciting events all year at Lakenheath Fen. Why not join us to see what's in our moth trap, or book your place on our autumn guided walks?
Days out
Lakenheath Fen
Hockwold cum WiltonOpenSee opening timesOnce a stretch of farmland, this wetland reserve is now a rich mix of reedbeds, marshes and woodlands where Kingfishers and Otters thrive.
About
Come to Lakenheath Fen and see how the RSPB has transformed former carrot fields into a wetland home for Kingfishers, Common Cranes, Otters and Water Voles. Where once there was farmland, now there is a vast stretch of reedbeds and grazing marshes bursting with life, as well as rich woodlands that come alive with song in spring.
Since 1995, we’ve created early 500 hectares of reedbeds, grazed fenland and wet grasslands where wildlife abounds. We make sure wildlife continues to thrive by grazing grasslands to keep grass at the right length and controlling the water levels to benefit different birds at different times of year. Now the reedbeds are established, we cut them back to maintain a mosaic of old and new reeds.
This Suffolk nature reserve forms part of a network of fenland nature reserves close by. These include The National Trust’s Wicken Fen, the Woodland Trust’s Chippenham Fen and Woodwalton Fen, which is managed by Natural England.
These, together with the washlands of the rivers Great Ouse and Nene, ensure some of the region’s natural character and variety of wildlife are protected.
At a glance
80 spaces
6 Accessible spaces Accessible parking spaces 700 m from visitor centre. No drop off point. Loose gravel surface. Stone pathway between car park and centre smooth and level with limited gradient.
Pass system in the visitor centre for those with mobility difficulties to take a car down to the first viewpoint (limited to 6 cars, speak to a member of staff).
Lighting is in car park after dark. No height restriction barrier. No overnight parking or camping. Bicycle racks available (four spaces).
Accessible car park at New Fen open all year. Closing at 4pm in winter and 5pm in summer.
Our accessible toilet is open daily and is located in a separate block next to the visitor centre entrance.
Our baby changing facilities are located in our accessible toilet.
Parts of the reserve are pushchair-friendly, such as the picnic area by the Visitor Centre, Brandon Fen trail and the central hard track through New Fen to Joist Fen.
The riverbank footpath is more uneven, with two kissing gates, making it generally unsuitable for pushchairs.
Brandon Fen Family Trail - 1.8m wide circular, flat walk of 1.1km/0.75 mile. This is the most suitable trail for easy mobility. Rolled surface with fine stone.
Our toilets are open daily and located in a separate block next to the visitor centre entrance.
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 Washland Footpath. Please keep to the designated rights of way only.
When on the Washland Footpath, please keep your dog on a lead and under close, effective control at all times, due to the sensitive wildlife, habitats and livestock here.
Brandon Fen trail, Trial Wood trail, the East Wood trail and the Main Circular trail are not public footpaths, so sorry, no dogs are permitted here other than assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Plan your visit
Recent Sightings at Lakenheath Fen
- Whooper Swan - 25 on the Washland briefly - 16 October
- Kingfisher - 2 from Mere Hide - 16 October. 3 there on 15 October, and also recently present and fishing on the Visitor Centre pond.
- Bearded Tit - 2 at Mere Hide - 16 October. 6 near Joist Fen on 10 October
- Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 on the Washland - 16 October
- Chiffchaff - 1 singing near the Visitor Centre - 16 October
- Shelduck - 2 on the Washland - 16 October
- Mute Swan - 24 on the Washland - 16 October
- Barn Owl - 1 from Joist Fen - 11 October
- Goldcrest - 6 seen feeding in trees and shrubs along the railway line - 10 October
- Water Rail - 1 seen at New Fen Viewpoint - 10 October
- Bittern - 1 seen at Joist Fen Viewpoint - 10 October
- Little Egret - 1 on Gary's Pool - 10 October
- Great White Egret - 1 on the Washland - 10 October
- Green Woodpecker - 2 at the Visitor Centre - 10 October
- Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 at the Visitor Centre - 10 October
- Cetti's Warbler - Calling across the reserve frequently, from damper areas. 1 at Gary's Pool - 10 October
- Hen Harrier - 1 male from Joist Fen around dusk - 9 October
- Hobby - 1 seen at the Visitor Centre - 9 October
- Short-eared Owl - 1 seen flying quite high over a reedbed here - 8 October
- Osprey - Over the second half of September we received sightings regularly of one often fishing or flying along the river, but our last record was on 1 October
- Redwing - a few flying over the reserve in the mornings lately
- Marsh Harrier - Seen regularly across the reserve, particularly from roost at Joist Fen Viewpoint or during the day over the Washland
- Common Crane - We had three pairs nesting here this year, two of which raised a fledgling each. We believe they have all now departed to join the wintering flock at the Ouse Washes, but they may return for occasional visits during autumn and winter.
- Skylark and Meadow Pipit - seen flying overhead on occasion.
OTHER WILDLIFE
- 32 moths of 126 species caught in our trap on 15 October, including the reserve's first Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis)
- Clouded Yellow Butterfly - these continue to be seen on warm days, reflecting the large influx to the UK this summer. Look out for their fast flight almost anywhere on the reserve, and they may stop to nectar on yellow dandelion-like flowers.
Contact Lakenheath Fen
lakenheath@rspb.org.uk Lakenheath Fen, Station Rd Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9AD 01842 863400