Fulbourn Fen

Fulbourn Fen is a nature reserve in Cambridgeshire featuring calcareous soils with peat deposits across open meadows and wooded sections. The land contains a mix of grassland and trees that create distinct habitats for different plant species throughout the site.

The site contains remnants of a medieval manor from the 1200s that once stood within the reserve. Over centuries, the land remained under human management but never underwent intensive agricultural conversion, preserving its natural character.

The reserve holds meaning for those interested in native plants and how traditional land use shapes ecosystems. Visitors come here to experience the kind of meadow landscape that has largely disappeared from the countryside.

Access is limited as not all areas are open to visitors, with movement generally restricted to designated paths. Bring appropriate footwear for potentially wet ground conditions, and plan your visit around daylight hours for safety.

The meadows have escaped intensive farming throughout their history, allowing uncommon plants like cowslip and salad burnet to thrive where they have disappeared elsewhere. This unusual combination of species makes the reserve notable for botanical study.

Location: Fulbourn

Location: Great Wilbraham

GPS coordinates: 52.17890,0.23114

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:12