Farm Stay East Anglia

A Day out around the Cambridgeshire Fens

The unique expansive landscape of the Fens forms one of the most distinctive areas of Britain, with over 200 miles of rivers and some spectacular skies. These ancient fenlands have supported people for over 6000 years, so the museums hold wonderful collections of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age relics, as well as objects from more recent past.

Wisbech is the capital of the Fens, with its fine Georgian architecture. It is a prosperous market town, which grew up around its port, and after the Fen drainage, became a busy agricultural centre. The Georgian properties on the North Brink of the River Nene are much used for filming period TV and films, the latest being Dean Spangley released in January 2009.

Wisbech is a perfect place for a day out. Visit Peckover House and Gardens (National Trust), bequeathed by the local benevolent Quaker family – as collectors of worldwide plant species and artefacts, who also built the Wisbech and Fenland Museum. Elgoods Brewery & Gardens was one of the first Georgian Breweries to be built outside London and has stood almost unchanged for at least 200 years. A delightful place to enjoy a good lunch, sample the local beer before the Brewery tour.

There are two museums in Wisbech. The Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House houses a study of our Victorian society and the help she provided in raising standards in the Victorian London slums. Victoria Hill was a founder member of the National Trust. The Wisbech & Fenland Museum houses many intriguing treasures. The Angles Theatre is one of the oldest surviving Georgina theatres in the country, and offers a programme of music and plays. Skylark Studio is a Contemporary Art Gallery with changing exhibitions.

There are plenty of shops in Wisbech and the Market (held on Thursday & Saturday) offers locally grown fruit, vegetables and plants. There are two Farm Shops and a local meat supplier just a short drive from Wisbech town centre.

Wisbech is an attractive destination for the boating and yachting fraternity, with the expansion of the leisure facilities in the town.

Just outside Wisbech at Friday bridge, Woodhouse Farm Park offers a genuine farm, experience with plenty of animals to see and handle, and a Nature Walk and wildlife pond. There is also an indoor and outdoor play area, tea room, gift shop, restaurant and picnic area.

The waterways in the Fens are home to all sorts of wildlife, and are ideal for birdwatching. The Ouse and Nene Washes are Special Protection Areas, world famous for the wildfowl they attract. Welney Wetland Centre covers 1, 000 acres and each winter plays host to migratory swans and wildfowl from artic Russia and Iceland.

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve (National Trust) is the last remaining undrained section of the great Fen levels, rich in plant and invertebrate life, and excellent for bird watching. There is also a working wind pump, Fen Cottage and a café.

A great place for families is the Nene Valley Railway, set in The Nene Park, with amenities for walking, cycling and water sport.

Towards Spalding at Long Sutton the Butterfly and Wildlife Park houses a tropical butterfly house, reptile land, ant room, pet centre, birds of prey, raccoons, rare sheep and much more.

Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum is a fascinating place to visit, with its collection of diesel engines. There is also the Fenland & West Norfolk Aviation Museum just outside Wisbech at West Walton.

We have several farms in the fenlands and near Wisbech & Ely at Hale Fen Littleport and Wisbech St Mary.  

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