Heckington Fen

Downs, Moorland in Lincolnshire North Kesteven

England

Heckington Fen

Across the fields towards Six Hundreds Farm View from the footpath alongside the A17.  The farm is 'hiding' behind the telegraph pole.
Across the fields towards Six Hundreds Farm Credit: Ian Paterson

Heckington Fen is a vast and diverse natural landscape situated in Lincolnshire, England. Spanning an area of approximately 1,600 hectares, it is characterized by its unique combination of downs and moorland.

The fen is predominantly composed of low-lying wetlands, with a rich variety of marshes, reed beds, and peat bogs. These wetland habitats provide a haven for a multitude of plant and animal species, making it a significant area for biodiversity conservation. Rare species such as the marsh harrier and the fen violet can be found here, alongside a plethora of other wetland birds, insects, and plants.

The fen also boasts areas of dry heathland and rolling downland, adding to its ecological diversity. These upland areas are characterized by their heather and gorse vegetation, and provide a stark contrast to the fen's wetland habitats. The varied topography of the landscape creates a visually captivating environment, attracting nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Heckington Fen is managed and protected by various conservation organizations, ensuring the preservation of its unique ecosystems. Visitors to the fen can explore its extensive network of footpaths and nature trails, allowing for a closer encounter with its natural wonders. The fen also offers opportunities for birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and tranquil walks amidst its serene surroundings.

With its diverse range of habitats and exceptional natural beauty, Heckington Fen is a true gem within the Lincolnshire countryside. It serves as a vital ecological resource, attracting both local and international interest in its unique biodiversity and providing a sanctuary for a wide array of plant and animal species.

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Heckington Fen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.991708/-0.22925021 or Grid Reference TF1845. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Across the fields towards Six Hundreds Farm View from the footpath alongside the A17.  The farm is 'hiding' behind the telegraph pole.
Across the fields towards Six Hundreds Farm
View from the footpath alongside the A17. The farm is 'hiding' behind the telegraph pole.
Field at Heckington Fen View across the fields from the rear of some houses at East Heckington.
Field at Heckington Fen
View across the fields from the rear of some houses at East Heckington.
Farmland at Heckington Fen (1) A cereal crop is growing in the field in the foreground. The small cluster of trees on the right may be a windbreak. Thanks to Evelyn Simak for suggesting description.
Farmland at Heckington Fen (1)
A cereal crop is growing in the field in the foreground. The small cluster of trees on the right may be a windbreak. Thanks to Evelyn Simak for suggesting description.
Farmland at Heckington Fen (2)
Farmland at Heckington Fen (2)
Farmland at Heckington Fen (3) A cereal crop is growing in the field in the foreground. The mast, which is not marked on the map, may be a recently-erected wind mast which is installed in potential wind farm sites in order to obtain more accurate information about wind speed and so on. Thanks to Evelyn Simak for suggesting description.
Farmland at Heckington Fen (3)
A cereal crop is growing in the field in the foreground. The mast, which is not marked on the map, may be a recently-erected wind mast which is installed in potential wind farm sites in order to obtain more accurate information about wind speed and so on. Thanks to Evelyn Simak for suggesting description.
Farmland at Heckington Fen (4)
Farmland at Heckington Fen (4)
Sidebar Lane (B1395), East Heckington
Sidebar Lane (B1395), East Heckington
Houses in Sidebar Lane (B1395), near east Heckington
Houses in Sidebar Lane (B1395), near east Heckington
Junction of Sidebar Lane (B1395) and Crab Lane from Littleworth Drove.
Junction of Sidebar Lane (B1395) and Crab Lane
from Littleworth Drove.
Crab lane, Heckington Fen The track on the right leads to Labour in Vain Drain.
Crab lane, Heckington Fen
The track on the right leads to Labour in Vain Drain.
We're saying nothing! Mute Swan guardians of the Head Dike, Heckington Fen No explanation of why there is no longer a bridge over this drain to allow the footpath to continue alongside head Dike to the pumping station and junction with Holland Dike.
Perhaps as in many similar cases it fell into disrepair and the remains were conveniently tidied away during drain dredging?
We're saying nothing! Mute Swan guardians of the Head Dike, Heckington Fen
No explanation of why there is no longer a bridge over this drain to allow the footpath to continue alongside head Dike to the pumping station and junction with Holland Dike. Perhaps as in many similar cases it fell into disrepair and the remains were conveniently tidied away during drain dredging?
Datestone, Former Primitive Methodist Chapel, Sidebar Lane near Heckington Detail of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1978256">TF1845 : Former Primitive Methodist Chapel, Heckington Fen</a>.
Datestone, Former Primitive Methodist Chapel, Sidebar Lane near Heckington
The writing's on the wall: date brickwork on the wall, Littleworth Drove
The writing's on the wall: date brickwork on the wall, Littleworth Drove
Remains of the Car Dike north of Littleworth Drove, NE of Heckington The Car Dike was an artificial water channel thought to have been constructed around AD125. It ran along the western fen edge from Peterborough to Lincoln. 
See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.lincstothepast.com/Car-Dyke-in-Lincolnshire/236246.record?pt=S" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.lincstothepast.com/Car-Dyke-in-Lincolnshire/236246.record?pt=S">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Remains of the Car Dike north of Littleworth Drove, NE of Heckington
The Car Dike was an artificial water channel thought to have been constructed around AD125. It ran along the western fen edge from Peterborough to Lincoln. See LinkExternal link
A17 lay-by
A17 lay-by
A17 Eastbound The A17 is the major route for HGV's accessing Norfolk from Northern England and the Midlands and also a major holiday route in the summer months for cars and caravans making their way to the seaside resorts of Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, Cromer and Great Yarmouth and is one of only two direct routes that links Norfolk with the A1, the other being the A47. It runs for almost 60 miles from Winthorpe, near Newark-on-Trent to King's Lynn across the flat landscape of the Lincolnshire fens with only four stretches of dual carriageway. 
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A17" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A17">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  SABRE
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A17_road_(England)" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A17_road_(England)">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  Wikipedia
A17 Eastbound
The A17 is the major route for HGV's accessing Norfolk from Northern England and the Midlands and also a major holiday route in the summer months for cars and caravans making their way to the seaside resorts of Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, Cromer and Great Yarmouth and is one of only two direct routes that links Norfolk with the A1, the other being the A47. It runs for almost 60 miles from Winthorpe, near Newark-on-Trent to King's Lynn across the flat landscape of the Lincolnshire fens with only four stretches of dual carriageway. LinkExternal link SABRE LinkExternal link Wikipedia
A17 near Poplars Farm The A17 is the major route for HGV's accessing Norfolk from Northern England and the Midlands and also a major holiday route in the summer months for cars and caravans making their way to the seaside resorts of Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, Cromer and Great Yarmouth and is one of only two direct routes that links Norfolk with the A1, the other being the A47. It runs for almost 60 miles from Winthorpe, near Newark-on-Trent to King's Lynn across the flat landscape of the Lincolnshire fens with only four stretches of dual carriageway. 
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A17" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A17">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  SABRE
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A17_road_(England)" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A17_road_(England)">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>  Wikipedia
A17 near Poplars Farm
The A17 is the major route for HGV's accessing Norfolk from Northern England and the Midlands and also a major holiday route in the summer months for cars and caravans making their way to the seaside resorts of Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, Cromer and Great Yarmouth and is one of only two direct routes that links Norfolk with the A1, the other being the A47. It runs for almost 60 miles from Winthorpe, near Newark-on-Trent to King's Lynn across the flat landscape of the Lincolnshire fens with only four stretches of dual carriageway. LinkExternal link SABRE LinkExternal link Wikipedia
Show me another place!

Heckington Fen is located at Grid Ref: TF1845 (Lat: 52.991708, Lng: -0.22925021)

Administrative County: Lincolnshire

District: North Kesteven

Police Authority: Lincolnshire

What 3 Words

///segments.mash.removable. Near Heckington, Lincolnshire

Nearby Locations

Heckington Fen

Related Wikis

Car Dyke

The Car Dyke was, and to a large extent still is, a long ditch which runs along the western edge of the Fens in eastern England for a distance of over...

Swineshead railway station

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Great Hale

Great Hale is a village and civil parish in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census...

Heckington railway station

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.991708,-0.22925021
Heckington Fen
Place: locality
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 52.995161/-0.2313687
Fen Farm
Place: farm
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 52.9895425/-0.2350008
Man Made: tower
Tower Type: communication
Lat/Long: 52.9922726/-0.235446
The Cottages
Place: isolated_dwelling
Lat/Long: 52.9905202/-0.2347791
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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