Windpump at Wicken Fen near Cambridge 
View from a Hide across Sedge Fen at Wicken Fen nr Cambridge 
Wicken Fen near Cambridge Attractions around Cambridge include stunning Fenland sites like Wicken Fen and family fun wildlife parks and zoos like Linton Zoo and Shepreth Wildlife Park. Visitors based in the idyllic medieval village of Saffron Walden or in the countryside around Cambridge benefit from both a beautiful rural holiday base and easy access to Cambridge city centre attractions.
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The wider area beyond Cambridge including the breathtaking Cambridgeshire Fens has strong links with the city and university. Charles Darwin is thought to have visited wildlife haven Wicken Fen and the war poet Rupert Brooke, who attended King's College Cambridge, lived for a time in the Old Vicarage at Grantchester. The stunning parish church in Saffron Walden was designed by John Wastell who also designed King's College Chapel. Essential visiting is the superb Imperial War Museum Duxford south of Cambridge located on the historic Duxford Airfield which played a major role in the Second World War.
One of the best places to experience the unique beauty of the Fenland landscape is to visit Wicken Fen (National Trust) near Cambridge and Ely. Wicken Fen is actually one of Britain's oldest nature reserves and today is a precious surviving wetland area in western Europe. Rich in wildlife including dragonflies, butterflies and many species of birds (over 200), Wicken's wildflowers including Meadowsweet, Marsh pea and rare plants like Fen violet alongside the open Fen Meadows is a landscape that stirs the soul. The network of user friendly paths at Wicken Fen takes you right into the heart of this stunning Fenland landscape.
The Fens, which nestle between the uplands of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Suffolk were formed about 5000 years ago when the sea level rose and flooded the area waterlogging it. Dead plants became the famous peat or 'turf' of the Fens. The wet fens were a rich source of food with fish and wildfowl in the waters. Peat and sedge served as fuel and peat and clay in the area was used as building materials. The draining of the Fens has long been an issue. The Romans made several efforts and may well have constructed the 'lodes' - the network of waterways across the Fens. The biggest effort to drain the Fens to improve arable crop production was in the 1600s. Resistance to drainage here at Wicken from local people was crucial in its survival as a wetlands. Much of the fenland area around Wicken was drained.
The Fenland landscape at Wicken Fen features reedbeds, wet grassland areas and open water. The Wicken Sedge Fen which grows in the waters has been harvested here since around 1419. The value of the sedge fen to local people is the reason why they resisted drainage of the area. The range of fen plants flourishing around the sedge fen is the perfect habitat and source of food for the many insects and animals at Wicken. The sedge fen at Wicken attracted many of the early entomologists from the 1820s including Charles Darwin who is throught to have visited Wicken Fen. Indeed the Victorian interest in natural history was a major contributer to Wicken's survival and preservation and the fact that it was not drained like much of the land around it.
The site is a prime birdwatching spot and their are several birdwatching hides here at Wicken. A choice of long or short Adventure Fenland trails criss-cross the Wicken Fen landscape. Wicken Fen is also wonderfully acessible with a network of paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Find self catering cottages and charming B&Bs near Wicken Fen listed here on iknow East Anglia. Staying near Wicken Fen affords opportunity to view the Fen at night or early in the morning.
Wildlife parks and zoos around Cambridge include the Linton Zoological Gardens, Cambridgeshire's wildlife breeding centre situated just south east of Cambridge.
Linton Zoo has a real emphasis on conservation and education and is set across 18 acres of exquisite gardens with ample picnic space. Discover a range of exotic and rare animals here at Linton Zoo, a great family day out with birthday parties available and children's play areas suitable for all ages on-site. The Secret Garden under 5's play and picnic area is a big hit with younger children and a coffee shop and gift shop are also on-site.
One of the most popular daytrips near Cambridge is a visit to stunning Saffron Walden village which remained largely untouched by the industrial revolution and is home to a range of historic buildings mostly built by Quakers. Historic sites in Saffron Walden include the remains of a small castle and beautiful St Mary the Virgin Church, the largest church in Essex built in 1430 and designed by John Wastell who also designed the celebrated King's College Chapel in Cambridge.
The idyllic medieval market town of Saffron Walden has had a market since 1141. Market days today are on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The town centre is a treasure trove of independent shops, traditional historic inns, a pretty central pond and on the north side Bridge End Garden, a charming Victorian garden with hedge maze. Around historic Saffron Walden Common is the popular turf labyrinth, always a hit with children, and the largest surviving turf labyrinth in Europe.
Visit the Saffron Walden Museum and discover the history of this uniquely preserved northwest Essex market town. Around Saffron Walden is the beautiful country estate of Audley End House and Gardens (English Heritage).
Things to do and days out around Cambridge are numerous, with attractions catering for all interests and tastes. Visit the spectacular Georgian Wimpole Hall, gardens and estate just south west of Cambridge or the Jacobean-style Anglesey Abbey, Gardens & Lode Mill just 6 miles north east of Cambridge.
RSPB reserves near Cambridge include Fowlmere and a choice of family fun wildlife parks and zoos including Shepreth Wildlife Park and Linton Zoo are located around Cambridge. The Imperial War Museum Duxford sits just off the M11 (junction 10) to the south of Cambridge. Essential visiting, this branch of the Imperial War Museum is situated on the historic Duxford Airfield which played a major part in the Second World War. The history of aircraft, the RAF and commercial flights is given particular emphasis at Duxford which boasts outstanding interactive galleries and a breathtaking collection of historic aircraft including a Concorde which visitors can board. Numerous events and airshows take place at the IWM Duxford through the year.
Just south of Cambridge at Grantchester is the Rupert Brooke Museum and famous Orchard Tea Garden. The war poet of World War I Rupert Brooke, who attended King's College Cambridge and lived briefly at the Old Vicarage in Grantchester, died early in the First World War in 1915 en-route to Gallipoli. His early death meant he never experienced the horrors of trench warfare like fellow poets Sassoon and Owen, hence his war poems contain the early romanticism prevalent early on in the war which was there in early poems by Sassoon and Owen too. A fascinating character known for his charm and boyish good looks, find out more about the poet Brookes via the Rupert Brooke Society's website and the Brooke Museum in Grantchester.
Discover an outstanding choice of historic inn B&Bs, country cottages and beautiful historic guesthouses near Cambridge in the surrounding countryside listed here on iknow East Anglia. Farm B&B guest houses, luxury country house hotels and self catering cottages near Cambridge offer a stunning rural setting close to Fenland sites like Wicken Fen and are also within easy reach of Cambridge centre and the famous Cambridge University Colleges.
