A wetland sanctuary In the very heart of the farmed fields of the fens lies an oasis for wetland wildlife, the Ouse Washes. Built to manage flood waters and protect farmland, the Washes also ©Anne & Chris Algar/WWT became a sanctuary for wetland wildlife as the fens were drained. With nearby remnants of the original fen and new wetland reserves, the unique Ouse Washes Landscape adds up to an amazing wildlife and cultural experience. ousewashes.org.uk ©Jamie Hall ©Simon Stirrup ©Helen Edmondson ©Mike Daines ©Mike ©Flickr/Peter Schoen ©Flickr/Peter Denver Sluice Complex Special places Dating back to the 1600s this site helps protect the people of the fens from flooding and plays a key role in navigation, conservation, water To fully experience this abstraction, agriculture and land drainage. unique landscape make gov.uk/government/organisations/ sure you include a visit environment-agency to these special places around the Ouse Washes. ©Nick Ford RSPB & Wildlife Trust BCN Ouse Washes nature reserve Visit this remote part of the Washlands for an WWT Welney Wetland Centre experience with a wild feel. View spectacular flocks of waterfowl from the hides and get close Get really close to the Ouse Washes and watch to scarce farmland birds from the visitor centre. thousands of wintering birds from the comfort rspb.org.uk/ousewashes & wildlifebcn.org/ of a visitor centre and heated observatory. reserves/ouse-washes In summer explore the wetlands in search of breeding birds, dragonflies and wildflowers. wwt.org.uk/welney ©rspb-images.com ©WWT/Sacha Dench ©WWT/Sacha Mepal Outdoor Centre Adventurous outdoor activities arranged as day and residential visits for schools and organised RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes & groups. Also offer occasional family days and training courses that are open to the public. Ouse Fen nature reserves mepal.co.uk Explore the trails at any time of year to discover a wealth of wildlife at Fen Drayton Lakes. At Ouse Fen, Hanson and the RSPB are transforming a working quarry into a vast reedbed. rspb.org.uk/fendraytonlakes & rspb.org.uk/ousefen ©Mick Dolphin ©rspb-images.com ©WWT/James Lees ©WWT/James Sum of many parts Wisbech ©Phil Bancroft Don’t miss all the nature Partnership Landscape Washes Ellis/Ouse ©WWT/Bob ©WWT/Adam Finch/Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership Landscape Washes Finch/Ouse ©WWT/Adam reserves, cultural sites and A1122 activities nearby. A47 River Great Ouse (tidal) Downham Market A1122 Well Creek Many can be visited by bike, boat and bus as well as by car. Denver Sluice Complex From Old Nene YOU Peterborough ARE March River Wissey HERE Hilgay Hundred Foot Drain Sixteen Foot Drain A141 Welney WWT Welney Wetland Centre RSPB Ouse Washes/Wildlife Trust BCN A1101 River Delph A10 Manea Little Ouse River River Great Ouse Forty Foot Drain Littleport Chatteris New Bedford River (tidal) River Lark Mepal Outdoor Centre Old Bedford River Dench ©WWT/Sacha Coveney Prickwillow Mepal ©Cambridgeshire County Council ©Cambridgeshire Ely A141 A142 Somersham Counter Wash DrainSutton Key RSPB Ouse Fen Earith Haddenham A1123 Landscape Stretham Old West River A1123St Ives Ouse Washes River Great Ouse Ouse Washes Landscape Wicken Huntingdon Hub site facilities Swavesey A10 River Cam Restaurant/café RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes Gift shop A14 Viewpoint N Wildlife site Picnic area Toilets Cambridge 0 3 miles Parking 0 3 kilometres Mooring Outdoor activity Other attractions Museum Wildlife site Heritage site - Stonea camp ©Adam Finch/OWLP/WWT ©Adam Transport Railway station ©Sheils Flynn/Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership Landscape Washes ©Sheils Flynn/Ouse Railway line Long walk ©Mike Daines ©Mike Main road Guided bus way Cycle route Water ways For detailed information on water navigation, countryside access, cycling and walking routes, visit ousewashes.org.uk ©WWT/Sacha Dench ©WWT/Sacha News and events One beauty of wetlands is that their wildlife and landscape changes dramatically from season to season (and often daily too!). Try visiting these places in different seasons or come back for one of the many local events and activities listed here. ©WWT/Jon Smith ©WWT/Jon ©WWT/Jon Smith ©WWT/Jon ©WWT/James Lees ©WWT/James ©Bill Blake Heritage Documentation ©Bill Blake.