Wicken Fen is Britain's oldest nature reserve. Here you can experience the East Anglian Fen landscape as it once was.
Held in time by traditional land uses and modern conservation methods it is also a place to discover living evidence of the Fenman's way of life.
Extensive facilities for group visits are available, or use your own staff and equipment. Either way you will find trained and helpful staff, and safe, easy access.
Education Activities At Wicken Fen
You will find our activities, equipment and staff are flexible enough to suit just about any ages, abilities and special needs. Choose your programme from these ideas, or design your own.
POND DIPPING (KS 1-4) Look at pond life in specially constructed ponds. Learn about food webs, life cycles, habitats and water quality. Compare two different ponds. Use keys, magnifiers, and pond life rubber stamps.
MINI-BEASTS (KS 1-4) Investigate grassland invertebrates. Learn about adaptation, temperature and light, decomposition, life cycles, food webs, and population studies. Use pooters, magnifiers, keys, thermosticks and the famous Wheely Bin.
FEN FLORA (KS 2,3,4+) Focus on fenland flowers and grasses. Practice plant identification, random sampling and percentage cover. Use quadrats, transects and keys, also practising mapping, recording and numerical skills.
SENSORY ACTIVITIES (KS 1,2) Appreciate the natural world using sensory and creative activities along the boardwalk. Experience the sounds, colours, smells, feel and even taste of nature!
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES DAY A full day of science out-of-the-classroom combines two or more of the above activities.
SOIL SAMPLING (KS 2,3,4+) Study five soil types from different locations. Learn about soil types, drainage, and land use. Use soil hand texturing, keys and data recording.
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY (KS 2,3,4) Walk two miles from Upware to Wicken Fen. Discover the importance of rivers, lodes, drains, locks and pumps, see the reed harvest in late winter. Compare modern agricultural landscapes with undrained Fenland. Ask about a visit to Fen Cottage - the National Trust's smallest historic house.
ORIENTEERING (KS 2,3,4) Follow a set route around Wicken Fen using a compass and OS map.
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT (KS 2,3,4+) Tour of the boardwalk to learn about the history, ecology and management of Wicken Fen. Traditional practices are often visible, including the sedge harvest in summer.
GUIDED WALKS & SLIDE SHOWS (KS 3,4+) On a variety of topics, relating aspects of Wicken Fen's history, wildlife and management to the students' course of study or area of interest. All year round different things are happening on the Reserve. Ask about when to see particular wildlife, or view our specialist conservation machinery and methods in action.
Practicalities
Open all year
Education officer can help you plan and lead activities. Teachers' resources available. Free preliminary visit for teachers.
All groups should be booked in advance. Minimum ratio 1:10 adult:children required.
Lode Lane car park for all parking, including coaches.
Boardwalk for wheelchair users and the less able walker. Centre wheelchair accessible. Disabled
toilet at car park. Some equipment for special needs education available.
In warm weather be prepared for sunburn and insect bites.
In wet weather, wellies and waterproofs are essential. Shelter is available.
Toilets and picnic area at car park. NB no other toilets on site.
Charges are per session and can be surprisingly cheap. Please see current price leaflet or ring for
more details.
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
Education Officer
Lode Lane
Wicken
ELY
Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP
01353 723095 (Education office)
01353 720274 (General enquiries & fax)
World Wide Web Page:
http://www.demon.co.uk/ecoln/wicken_fen
