Days out in the

Ouse Washes Landscape

Welcome to the southern part, including St Ives, is of its good wetland preservation. It Landscape. Wide open skies, fabulous accessible via the is full of interesting historic remains, sunsets and straight lines generate a Guided Busway (www.thebusway. rich in prehistoric, Roman and more feeling of remoteness and tranquillity info). Walking and Cycling are also recent archaeological sites including in this rural landscape north of very popular and the Ouse Washes well-preserved ancient settlements and , reaching from St Ives website has some helpful information ritual monuments and magnificent in the south to Downham Market about long distance routes and circular engineering drainage. in the north. It is in the heart of the walks (www.ousewashes.org.uk). Cambridgeshire and Fens and Cambridgeshire County Council also Working alongside Visit Cambridge & includes the RSPB Ouse Washes, Fen produces some great cycling maps for Beyond, the Ouse Washes Landscape Drayton Lakes, Ouse Fen wetland the area (www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Partnership (funded by Heritage reserves and WWT Wetland cycling). Lottery Fund and managed through Centre, all of international importance Cambridgeshire ACRE), has put to wildfowl. The area offers unique highlights that together 3 suggested itineraries to help are worth exploring. The beautiful, you to explore this beautiful area. We The area is very accessible with Ely, largely unspoilt, rural landscape hope they get you started discovering Downham Market, March, Manea provides a peaceful environment for this unique landscape. and train stations providing walking, exploring and getting close easy connections from Cambridge, to nature. The area is renowned for Norwich, and beyond its waterways and contains one of Cover Images: Dawn over the (www.thetrainline.com). The area is the UK’s most extensive networks of Water Meadows near Ely (part) by Andrew Sharpe, Sunset in St Ives by Sam Palmer’ to also well served by a local bus network wetland habitats. The area is also very ‘Sunset on the River Great Ouse in St Ives (www.stagecoachbus.com) and the important for its archaeology because (part) by Sam Palmer

DOWNHAM MARKET NORWICH • • PETERBOROUGH • • MARCH ST IVES • ELY •

• CAMBRIDGE

Itinerary 1 Itinerary 2 Itinerary 3 ITINERARY 1 Exploring Downham Market, WWT Welney and Ely

Morning Once you have finished exploring Wigeon Café at WWT Welney offers Downham Market, Denver Sluice or warming lunches or slices of cake with a Start in Downham Market, one of completing a circular walk, why not cuppa. All of which is enhanced by the Norfolk’s oldest market towns. Explore stop in Downham Market for a well- gorgeous panoramic view of . the history of the area at the Downham earned coffee and cake stop. For more about WWT Welney visit Market & District Heritage Centre www.wwt.org.uk/welney (www.discoverdownham.org.uk), Around Lunch-Time or venture out on a beautiful walk “a year-round destination, around Denver Sluice and the Fens. Travel to WWT Welney where you can WWT Welney has one Norfolk County Council produce a explore an extensive wetland area. guide to walks in and around the Between Easter and mid-October of the largest wetland Downham Market area – visit www. you can use the equipment provided habitats in the UK” norfolk.gov.uk, search ‘Health Heritage at dedicated pond-dipping stations, and Biodiversity Walks’, and select and get a closer look at some of the Downham Market. underwater inhabitants. There is a summer walk available, so you can also Longer walks are available along fully explore the wetlands. A year-round the Fen Rivers Way which runs for destination, WWT Welney has one nearly 50 miles between Kings Lynn of the largest wetland habitats in the and Cambridge, passing near to UK, where you can see hundreds of Downham Market (www.norfolk.gov. wintering swans, flocks of ducks and uk/fenriversway). wading birds as well as hares. Wrap up warm and enjoy a commentated wild swan feed or a guided hare walk. The Image (across): Bug hunting at WWT Welney Wetland Centre by Bob Ellis. Images (below, clockwise from bottom left): bottom clockwise from (below, Images Ellis. Bob by Centre Wetland Welney WWT hunting at Bug (across): Image Kino Takeshi by Washes RSPB Ouse from Cathedral Ely Bancroft, Phil by Sluice Denver Dean, Allan by Welney WWT at Swan Whooper Image (across): Bug hunting at WWT Welney Wetland Centre by Bob Ellis. Images (below, clockwise from bottom left): Whooper Swan at WWT Welney by Allan Dean, Denver Sluice by Phil Bancroft, Ely Cathedral from RSPB Ouse Washes by Takeshi Kino person only. Printed copies andcolour copies allaccepted. 2017. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per Terms &Conditions: No cash alternative. Voucher valid until31st October the ticket office to claim your 2for 1entry. Simply present the voucher uponarrival to this voucher. admissions upuntil31st October 2017 with WWT Welney are offering 2for 1on 2 might want to consider extending your than just anafternoon inEly, so you tastes. You can spendmuchmore is bursting with choice to cater for all If you are then lookingfor dinner –Ely the endof October. from 11amdaily between March and the riverside near the Maltings starting minute cruisesdepart regularly from cruises along the Great Ouse. 30 Liberty Belle Cruises provide river dining or water basedactivities. Ely is alsoperfect for walking, relaxing, walking distance. The riverside area Museum which are all within easy Ely Museum and the Stained Glass is home to Oliver Cromwell’s House, magnificent cathedrals in theUK and afternoon. Ely boastsoneof the most Travel on towards Ely for a culture filled Afternoon 1 at WWT1 WelneyFOR ( • include: Ouse Washes area –other suggestions Ely isagreat basefor exploring the Extending yourstay ( the most of your time inEly available andlet them help you make out more about the accommodation Ely Tourist Information Centre to find stay with anovernight stop. Call into www.visitely.org.uk Market passes straight through Downham via Cambridge andEly. The route (south of Kings Lynn) inNorfolk, Essex with Wigginhall St Germans Route 11, which connects Harlow in Cycling or walking alongSustrans www.sustrans.org.uk/route/route-11 ). ). only. Printed copies andcolour copies allaccepted. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per person & Conditions: No cash alternative. Voucher valid until31st October 2017. or Standard Children (6-16 years old) tickets priced at £3.40each. Terms The 2for 1offer is valid onStandard Adult tickets priced at £4.90 each Oliver Cromwell’s House, Ely 2 FOR1Entry Oliver Cromwell’s House. Simply present the voucher uponarrival at ) • ( • • high street brands. Oct 2016’)-andagoodselectionof (‘Observer Sunday Readers Survey voted oneof the best nationally fortnightly Farmers’ Market recently regular weekly markets -includinga great independent shopping, Shopping –Ely ishome to some local area who ran them and the history of the drainage of the Fens, the people of dieselengines tells the story of the sustrans.org.uk/route/ely-wicken-fen mile mostly traffic-free route ( Wicken Fen (National Trust), a9 Cycling from Ely Cathedral to www.prickwillowmuseum.com Museum –itscollection www. ). ) uk/ousewashes surrounding arable land( rare andprotected farmland birds in and the area isalsoahotspot for you can spot unique wetland birdlife There are lots of hidesfrom which views across a vast wet grassland site. allowstranquilstunning walking with nearby. The RSPBOuse Washes itself farm walks starting andending can pickupleaflets for five circular Washes Nature Reserve where you Journey on towards the RSPBOuse wordpress.com the museum( years of humanhistory isonshow in on more recent history. Nearly amillion preserved by fen soilsandinformation StoneBronzetothrough Age Age, has local fossils andartefacts from the Start at the Museum which Morning In andaround Chatteris, Wimblington andMarch ITINERARY 2 www.chatterismuseum. ). ). www.rspb.org. vast wet grassland site” stunning views across a “tranquil walking with www.skylarkgardencentre.co.uk. For more about Skylark visit (please see vouchers below). The Skylark Café isagreat lunchstop and more –great funfor the littleones! Pesky Pigeon Tractor Ride, Pig Racing Funyard isopen, which also includesa October the Skylark Maize Maze and activities. Between 15th July and1st programme which includessummer Skylark hasa year-round events Fenland’s largest Garden Centre. stop at the Skylark Garden Centre, Head north towards Wimblington and Around Lunchtime

Images (across): Boating on River Great Ouse, Skylark Maize Maze and Fun Centre. Images (clockwise from bottom left): Sunset over the Ouse Washes at Sutton Gault by Simon Stirrup, Bronze Shield and Sword found near Ouse Washes (C) Chatteris Museum, Water Rail by Graham Hann / WWT Images (across): Boating on River Great Ouse, Skylark Maize Maze and Fun Centre. Images (clockwise from bottom left): Sunset over the Ouse Washes at Sutton Gault by Simon Stirrup, Bronze Shield and Sword found near Ouse Washes (C) Chatteris Museum, Water Rail by Graham Hann / WWT person only. Printed copies andcolour copies all accepted. 2017. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per Terms &Conditions: No cash alternative. Voucher valid until31st October ’. ‘free drink’. Simply show this voucher to claim your and 31st October 2017. every mainmealpurchase between now Skylark Café isoffering a‘free drink’ with Free Drink at Skylark Café 10.30-3.30pm. The museum was set Wednesdays andSaturdays between (opposite Fossils Galore), openon You could also visit the March Museum ( one of their activities the prehistoric sandpit and take part in fossils andminerals, gofossil huntingin Centre, lookat their hugecollection of visit Fossils Galore Educational Activity Next stop isMarch, where you can the Fens. surrounding the Iceni andRomans in some of the most important events monument and was the scene of Stonea Camp itself isascheduled open topublic throughout the the year. which isaCounty Farms Pocket park, B1093 Wimblington to Manea road) Near Skylark isStonea Camp (off the Afternoon www.fossilsgalore.com ). ). ( areain the overview of accommodation options Cambridgeshire Fens’ provides agreat your time andexplore even further.’ Visit day then why not stay over and take If it’s all too much to seeanddoina you are thinking of staying over. a campsite andhasanonsite B&Bif for anoffer). Fourwinds Leisure isalso for activities(please see vouchers below acres of farmland. Booking isrequired onto the Old River Nene andisset in5 fourwindsleisure.com why not visit Fourwinds Leisure ( archery, canoeing or fishing, then If you fancy trying your handat ( centuries through topresent the day life from the late 19thandearly 20th with anumber of displays showing the up in1977asalocal folk museum www.visitcambridgeshirefens.co.uk www.marchmuseum.co.uk ), which backs backs ), which person only. Printed copies andcolour copies allaccepted. 2017. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per Terms &Conditions: No cash alternative. Voucher valid until31st October ). claim your 10%discount. your activity andquote ‘itineraries’ to Please contact 01354658737 to book October 2017. and archery between now and31st discount off pre-booked canoe hire Fourwinds Leisure are offering a10% Fourwinds Leisure Discount www. ) • • ( • other suggestionsnearby include: There really isalot to doin this area – Extending yourstay co.uk fly ( School – take a trial flight or learn to Cambridgeshire Microlights Flying ( Chatteris Airfield is worth a visit Skydiving Centre basedon the skydiveNorth thenthe London you have ever fancied a tandem North London Skydiving Centre –If trips or longer breaks selection of boatssuitable for day Narrowboats inMarch offer a a narrowboat holiday? –Fox Fox Narrowboats –ever fancied www.ukskydiving.com www.foxboats.co.uk www.cambridgeshiremicrolights. ). ). ). ITINERARY 3 Around St Ives

Morning and September 2017. These include Around Lunchtime Lake Dipping and Bug Hunting, Starting in St Ives, head to the bus perfect for little ones to enjoy. A full list Head back towards St Ives which is a station to catch the Cambridgeshire of dates and details is available under beautiful historic market town on the Guided Busway down to RSPB Fen Events at Great Ouse. Famous for its ancient Drayton Lakes. The maintenance track www.rspb.org.uk/fendraytonlakes. chapel bridge (one of only four in the alongside the busway also provides country), it is a bustling market town. a great and segregated cycling The RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes Team Markets are held every Monday, or walking route if you are feeling also run a guided Wednesday Wander Friday and on bank holidays, and its energetic. on the 2nd Wednesday of the month farmers’ market, held on first and third between 10.15am to 12.15pm. The cost Saturdays of each month, was voted The RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes site is is £4 for adults (RSPB Members and the nation’s best in 2015 (FARMA). a series of lakes, riverside, traditional children half price). The guided walk St Ives is home to a great selection of meadows and hedges all linked normally lasts between 60-90 minutes cafes, restaurants and pubs so you by a network of paths which is free and is a great way to see the wonderful will be spoilt for choice if looking for a to explore. During the Summer wildlife that call the lakes home. Please lunch venue. months visiting birds include warblers, see voucher below for a Wednesday cuckoos, hobbies and common terns, Wander offer. “a great way to see the and butterflies and dragonflies flit wonderful wildlife that alongside the trails. There are various circular walks available along with self- call the lakes home” guided trails. RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes also host drop-in activities, mainly on Thursdays and Sundays between now Images (clockwise from bottom left): Cyclists at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes by Pete Johnstone, Holt Holt Johnstone, Pete by Lakes Drayton RSPB Fen at Cyclists left): bottom from (clockwise Images Palmer Sam by Ives in St Ouse Great the River on Sunset Jackson, © Ian Reserve Nature Island Afternoon (www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/leisure/ or nearby campsites? The Town Hall parks-nature-reserves-and-green- and Corn Exchange in St Ives can help Explore St Ives starting at the recently spaces/holt-island-nature-reserve). you make the most of your stay whilst refurbished Norris Museum (reopening visiting, so why not drop in, email or 29th July, 2017) which, as the Museum If you fancy a boat trip, the St Ives phone for advice of Huntingdonshire, tells the story of the Electric Riverboat Company offer (www.theoldriverportstives.co.uk) County through the ages and is great hourly trips up to Hemingford Lock for the story of from The Quay in St Ives (between Extending your stay (www.norrismuseum.org.uk). 11am and 5pm daily, until the end of September, weather permitting. Tickets • Fishing – there are plenty of Next stop is the Holt Island Nature are £7.50 for adults, £4 for school opportunities for fishing nearby. Visit Reserve – on an island in the town children and £6 for over 65s - please Cambridgeshire Fens has details of accessed via a bridge by the see offer voucher below. some options available churchyard of the Parish Church (at (www.visitcambridgeshirefens.org/ the end of the Broadway beyond the The Quay area in the heart of the Old things-to-do-31/fishing-40) Waits). Teaming with birds and other Riverport is a great place from which • RSPB Ouse Fen has a range of wildlife, it is an ideal place to relax and to sit, relax and watch the river. St Ives moderate to more challenging trails enjoy the tranquillity of the riverside offers numerous afternoon tea options, for walking or cycling, with several setting. The Island is open from 10am – some overlooking the river (www. public rights of way passing through 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank theoldriverportstives.co.uk) the reserve holidays between April and September. (www.rspb.org.uk/ousefen). At other times, keys are available from There is lots to do in and around St Ives the Norris Museum or One Leisure. so why not consider extending your stay and staying in one of the town’s hotels Images (clockwise from bottom left): Cyclists at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes by Pete Johnstone, Holt Holt Johnstone, Pete by Lakes Drayton RSPB Fen at Cyclists left): bottom from (clockwise Images Palmer Sam by Ives in St Ouse Great the River on Sunset Jackson, © Ian Reserve Nature Island

1/2 Price at Fen Drayton Lakes 50p OFF Riverboat Cruise

RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes is offering half price St Ives Electric Riverboat Company Wednesday Wander tickets to adults with this are offering 50p off all ticket prices voucher on either 12th July, 9th August, 13th with this voucher between now and September or 11th October 2017. 31st October 2017.

Please present the voucher when purchasing Simply present this voucher when your ticket on the day. purchasing your tickets on board.

Terms & Conditions: No cash alternative. Voucher valid until 31st October Terms & Conditions: No cash alternative. Voucher valid until 31st October 2017. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per 2017. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. One voucher per person only. Printed copies and colour copies all accepted. person only. Printed copies and colour copies all accepted. For further information about other highlights worth extending your stay for, plus eating, drinking, staying over or travelling around the area please visit one of the websites shown below:

Ouse Washes Landscape Visit West Norfolk Stagecoach in Cambridgeshire Partnership www.visitwestnorfolk.com www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge www.ousewashes.org.uk Public Rights of Way & Bridleways National Train Services Visit Cambridge & Beyond www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ www.thetrainline.com www.visitcambridge.org rightsofway or www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and- Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Visit Ely about-in-norfolk/public-rights-of-way www.thebusway.info www.visitely.org.uk Cycling in Cambridgeshire Sustrans National Cycle Network St Ives Town www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/cycling www.sustrans.org.uk www.theoldriverportstives.co.uk

Visit Cambridgeshire Fens Cycling and Walking in the area www.visitcambridgeshirefens.org www.ousewashes.org.uk

Days Out in the Ouse Washes Landscape was brought to you by the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership (funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and managed through Cambridgeshire ACRE) in partnership with Visit Cambridge & Beyond.

More: www.ousewashes.org.uk Contact: [email protected]

Cover Images: Dawn over the River Great Ouse Water Meadows near Ely (part) by Andrew Sharpe, Sunset in St Ives by Sam Palmer’ to ‘Sunset on the River Great Ouse in St Ives (part) by Sam Palmer