Woodwalton Fen NNR
Woodwalton Fen NNR lies at the lowest and most westerly part of the East Anglian fens. The area was dug for peat until the 1920s after which scrub invaded most of the site.
County: Cambridgeshire
Main habitats: Peatland
Area: 208 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
The reserve is a Ramsar site and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Apart from its wildlife interest the NNR serves an important function as a flood relief facility for adjoining farm land. Normally, this occurs every three to four years.
A number of bird species are found at the site including tree pipit, long-eared owl and common teal. Two scarce species seen here are great bittern and reed bunting.
Areas of remaining acid peat support stands of purple moor-grass, with ling, bog myrtle, tormentil and saw sedge. Flower-rich mixed fen covers a significant area of the reserve and is home to yellow flag, swamp meadow grass and great water dock. The site is also home to rare fen plants such as fen wood-rush and fen violet, and the 15 km of ditches on the site support the rare water violet and carnivorous bladderwort.
Woodwalton Fen is home to around 900 moth species and has more rare or notable moths than any other reserve in the UK. Species found here include marsh, lunar yellow underwing, four spotted, white-spotted pinion and silky wave. Over 1,000 beetle species - terrestrial and aquatic - have also been recorded at the site, with about 180 of these being of national importance. Fly species are also well-represented.
The best time to visit the site is between May and August, for birds, flowers and dragonflies.
Location and access
Woodwalton Fen is two km west of Ramsey Heights village, midway between Peterborough and Huntingdon, 13 km to the north and south respectively. The nearest town is Ramsey, five km to the east.
By car, the site is accessed via minor roads from the B1040, B1090 or A141.
There are mainline train stations at Peterborough and Huntingdon.
Bus services from Huntingdon and Peterborough to Ramsey are provided by Cavalier Travel. For details of other local bus services go to the Peterborough City Council transport webpage.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local villages.
There are several hides at the reserve, and leaflets and interpretation panels are provided for visitor information.
