Holme Fen, Nature reserve in Cambridgeshire, England
Holme Fen is a protected nature reserve in Cambridgeshire covering around 266 hectares of birch woodland and wetland habitats. The site supports over 500 fungi species and various bird populations that thrive in its restored fen environment.
The area transformed after the draining of Whittlesea Mere in the 1850s, which had been the largest lake in southern England at that time. This radical reshaping of the landscape created the conditions for the habitats that exist today.
The reserve forms part of the Great Fen project, connecting remaining fenland fragments to create a 3,700-hectare wildlife zone.
The reserve is straightforward to explore with marked trails for visitors, including a loop walk of roughly 1.5 kilometres starting and finishing at a central point. Wet ground underfoot requires sturdy footwear, particularly during cooler months.
The Holme Post marks the lowest point in Great Britain at 2.75 meters below sea level, indicating substantial land subsidence since drainage.
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