Wicken Fen
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Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of England’s very few remaining pieces of original fenland. It is a protected wetland site of international standing. The wind pump here, a smock mill, was originally at nearby Adventurer’s Fen and is the last survivor of the many thousands that once dotted the fenlands.
A fen is a waterlogged place with reeds and other plants growing in standing water, beneath which are peats and, nearer the sea, marine silts. These flat wetlands were interspersed by islands (like Ely) carrying villages and small towns. Transport was by boat.
That was the original Fenland. Much of what is now called the Fens in eastern England is a modern landscape. The original fenland was drained from 1629 onwards by Dutch engineers to give very rich farmland.
An unexpected long-term result was that the underlying peat beds dried out and shrank. Fields sank by 2m or so and became lower than the drainage channels and rivers! Continuous pumping was then needed - first by wind pumps like this survivor at Wicken. Eventually the picturesque windpumps were replaced by steam power, then by diesel or electrically driven pumps.
Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of England’s very few remaining pieces of original fenland. It is a protected wetland site of international standing. The wind pump here, a smock mill, was originally at nearby Adventurer’s Fen and is the last survivor of the many thousands that once dotted the fenlands.
A fen is a waterlogged place with reeds and other plants growing in standing water, beneath which are peats and, nearer the sea, marine silts. These flat wetlands were interspersed by islands (like Ely) carrying villages and small towns. Transport was by boat.
That was the original Fenland. Much of what is now called the Fens in eastern England is a modern landscape. The original fenland was drained from 1629 onwards by Dutch engineers to give very rich farmland.
An unexpected long-term result was that the underlying peat beds dried out and shrank. Fields sank by 2m or so and became lower than the drainage channels and rivers! Continuous pumping was then needed - first by wind pumps like this survivor at Wicken. Eventually the picturesque windpumps were replaced by steam power, then by diesel or electrically driven pumps.
The Fen orchid (Liparis loeselii) is rare and endangered orchid species in the UK with a strong population at Kenfig NNR. Dry weather takes it tall and I couldn’t spot any in the place I visited from pre-pandemic times. So, I was very happy to get away with couple images of one plant thanks to some tips from another orchid lover passing by and a guided tour as the marker of the right spot. Here is the result. Kenfig Pool National Nature Reserve. Bridgend, Wales, U.K.
Wicken Fen
Saw these three cygnets when out on a walk in the National trust land at Wicken Fen, in Cambridgeshire, England and managed to grab a quick shot with the drainage windmill in the background.
Wicken Fen is the National Trust's oldest nature reserve and England's biggest fen.
Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of England’s very few remaining pieces of original fenland. It is a protected wetland site of international standing. The wind pump here, a smock mill, was originally at nearby Adventurer’s Fen and is the last survivor of the many thousands that once dotted the fenlands.
A fen is a waterlogged place with reeds and other plants growing in standing water, beneath which are peats and, nearer the sea, marine silts. These flat wetlands were interspersed by islands (like Ely) carrying villages and small towns. Transport was by boat.
That was the original Fenland. Much of what is now called the Fens in eastern England is a modern landscape. The original fenland was drained from 1629 onwards by Dutch engineers to give very rich farmland.
An unexpected long-term result was that the underlying peat beds dried out and shrank. Fields sank by 2m or so and became lower than the drainage channels and rivers! Continuous pumping was then needed - first by wind pumps like this survivor at Wicken. Eventually the picturesque windpumps were replaced by steam power, then by diesel or electrically driven pumps.
Fen Drayton is a small village between Cambridge and St. Ives in Cambridgeshire, England, and between the villages of Fenstanton and Swavesey.
Wicken fen
A boggy fenland ride in October. Taken at Wicken Fen nature reserve in Cambridgeshire, England. It is one of my favourite places, full of big skies and huge, wide open space
Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of England’s very few remaining pieces of original fenland. The wind pump here, a smock mill, was originally at nearby Adventurer’s Fen and is the last survivor of the many thousands that once dotted the fenlands.
A fen is a waterlogged place with reeds and other plants growing in standing water, beneath which are peats and, nearer the sea, marine silts. These flat wetlands were interspersed by islands (like Ely) carrying villages and small towns. Transport was by boat.
That was the original Fenland. Much of what is now called the Fens in eastern England is a modern landscape. The original fenland was drained from 1629 onwards by Dutch engineers to give very rich farmland.
An unexpected long-term result was that the underlying peat beds dried out and shrank. Fields sank by 2m or so and became lower than the drainage channels and rivers! Continuous pumping was then needed - first by wind pumps like this survivor at Wicken. Eventually the picturesque windpumps were replaced by steam power, then by diesel or electrically driven pumps.
Wicken Fen:
www.flickr.com/photos/lesc/albums/72177720300900318
Windmills and pumps:
Long exposition of the Sawe creek, next to the High Fens, Belgium.
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The Showy lady's slipper, pink lady's-slipper, or the queen's lady's-slipper, is a rare lady's-slipper orchid native to northern North America. Although never common, this plant has vanished from much of its historical range due to habitat loss.
Like other lady's slipper orchids, the Cypripedium reginae has flowers with a pouch-shaped labellum. It is a large, terrestrial orchid, growing 21–100 cm (0.7–3 ft) in height with many stems from the same rootstock. Each stem has three to five alternate, pubescent leaves. Each ovately shaped leaf grows up to 25 cm (10 in) long and 16 cm (6 in) broad. Flowering stems one to three large, white and pink flowers. The upper petals are white, up to 4 cm (2 in) in length and 1.5 cm (0.59 in) across. The pouch-shaped labellum is rose-pink to magenta 2.5–5.5 cm (0.98–2.17 in) in length. (Wikipedia)
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Back in the 1930's, a landowner discovered a few of these fabulous orchids growing in a boggy area of his land. After doing some research, he decided to try protecting them. He spent years managing the fen and hand-pollinating the flowers. When he was no longer able to look after the area, he gave the land to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Area, who continued his work, building an elevated boardwalk and providing some basic faciities. For three weeks every spring, visitors admire the nearly 7,000 orchids that he nurtured into one of the largest colonies of lady's slipper orchids in the province.
Group cover photo (Flickr Nature) - July 12, 2026.
Purdon Conservation Area, Lanark, Ontario, Canada. June 2026.
Polaroid Autofocus 660 camera and some impossible project black and white - the last of my stock.
I return to this location over and over again; I always love how the light falls on this shack and how it seems to watch over the Fen.
Fen Drayton is a small village between Cambridge and St. Ives in Cambridgeshire, England, and between the villages of Fenstanton and Swavesey.
OISTERWIJK'S FORESTS & FENS
A different experience in every season: Oisterwijk's Forests & Fens are exquisite, tranquil and inspiring all year round. Different footpaths, cycle routes and horse trails will lead you – with or without the aid of a forest ranger – through the beauty of one of the Netherlands' most unique areas of nature. There are no less than 80 fens in this stunning green expanse – pretty impressive, right?
Four seasons
Whether it’s the frozen fairy-tale fens of the winter, the dynamics of nature coming to life in spring, the musical croaking of frogs in the summer, or the explosion of colours in the autumn: Oisterwijk's Forests & Fens are a feast for all the senses.
Spot kingfishers, deer and roe deer, or bear witness to the wide variety of insects and water creatures in the fens and ditches. And after an exhilarating day of activity or sport, head to one of the large terraces to enjoy the peace and quiet and a tasty snack, lunch or dinner.Oisterwijk's Forests & Fens Groot Speijck Visitor Centre has a great terrace, as does Boshuis Venkraai. And both are ideal places to relax and soak up the surroundings.
The Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii) is rare and endangered orchid species in the UK. Kenfig's broad-leaved variety (Liparis loeselii var. ovata) thought to be different from the Norfolk population of Fen orchids in the UK. Kenfig Pool National Nature Reserve. Kenfig, Bridgend, Wales
Leaning electricity pylons lead across Great Fen, a nature reserve near Holme, Huntingdonshire (Now part of Cambridgeshire), UK. Close to the UK's Lowest point at 2.75m (9ft) below sea level.
Large view to flowing water among a mossy gorge. The Trôs Marets stream takes its source in the High Fens.
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Gorgeous owl, found just as I was about to give up on a very foggy and wet afternoon. Never give up!
Large view to flowing water among a mossy gorge. The Trôs Marets stream takes its source in the High Fens.
Please visit my other gallery :
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A visit to Norfolk would never be complete without the obligatory shot of one of the many Water Mills. I didn't have much luck with sunrises or sunsets during my weeks stay. However, the forecast for sunset on my last night looked favourable. I made my way to the River Ant and walked out to Turf Fen Drainage Mill, which I had passed the day previously on a rented Boat. You cannot get across to the mill without a boat, but there is a footpath and mooring opposite. The mooring was pretty busy with boats but there was a decent gap to get this shot across the River Ant. There was very little cloud, but just enough to give a little bit of sky interest and colour.
Turf Fen Drainage Mill was built around 1875 to drain the Horning Marsh into the River Ant to make the land available for grazing. The Mill is 31 feet high and had a unique double scooped wheel. It went out of service in 1920 and like all the other Broads Mills has been replaced by modern pumping systems.