Lady Fen

Downs, Moorland in Norfolk King's Lynn and West Norfolk

England

Lady Fen

The Ouse Washes: Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre The Ouse Washes, also known as The Hundred Foot Washes, is an area of grassland (washland) that can be deliberately flooded lying between the Old and New Bedford Rivers. These rivers are derived from the River Great Ouse, a major tributary of East Anglia&#039;s Wash. They were dug in the 16th &amp; 17th centuries as part of a programme to drain The Fens of floodwater for agriculture. In 1630, King Charles I granted a drainage charter to the 4th Earl of Bedford who engaged the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden to construct the two Bedford rivers. The purpose of the new rivers was to facilitate drainage of the River Great Ouse between Earith and Downham Market.
The New Bedford River flows through the entire length of the washland and The River Delph flows through the washes either side of Welney. The flood waters are contained between 2 parallel embankments - The Old Bedford Barrier Bank and the Hundred Foot Bank - and the area between the banks is approximately 20 miles long and half a mile wide in places. It is permanent grassland and used for livestock grazing when not flooded and acts as washland or flood reservoir allowing the flow of water to the sea to be contained and released in a controlled way during the winter and occasionally in summer.
Please visit <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.ousewashes.info/index.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.ousewashes.info/index.htm">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> for more information. — The Ouse Washes: Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre Credit: Christopher Hilton

Lady Fen is a picturesque nature reserve located in Norfolk, England. It is a diverse and ecologically rich area, encompassing downs, moorland, and wetlands. Covering an area of approximately 200 hectares, Lady Fen is renowned for its natural beauty and its importance for wildlife conservation.

The reserve is characterized by its undulating downs, which offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. These downs are adorned with an array of vibrant wildflowers, including orchids, cowslips, and harebells, creating a colorful tapestry during the summer months. It is also home to various species of grasses and sedges, contributing to the unique biodiversity of the area.

Lady Fen's moorland is a haven for many bird species, including the rare stone curlew and the Eurasian hobby. This habitat provides excellent breeding grounds for these birds, as well as a vital stopover site for migratory species. Moorland plants, such as heather and gorse, thrive in this environment, adding to the scenic beauty of the area.

The reserve's wetlands are a vital part of its ecosystem, providing a habitat for numerous amphibians, reptiles, and insects. The wetlands are dotted with small pools and marshes, which are home to various species of dragonflies, water lilies, and reeds. This diverse range of habitats ensures that Lady Fen is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Lady Fen offers visitors the opportunity to explore its natural wonders through a network of well-maintained trails. The reserve also hosts educational programs and events, providing a platform for learning and appreciation of the local flora and fauna.

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Lady Fen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.529575/0.28880852 or Grid Reference TL5594. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Ouse Washes: Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre

The Ouse Washes, also known as The Hundred Foot Washes, is an area of grassland (washland) that can be deliberately flooded lying between the Old and New Bedford Rivers. These rivers are derived from the River Great Ouse, a major tributary of East Anglia's Wash. They were dug in the 16th & 17th centuries as part of a programme to drain The Fens of floodwater for agriculture. In 1630, King Charles I granted a drainage charter to the 4th Earl of Bedford who engaged the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden to construct the two Bedford rivers. The purpose of the new rivers was to facilitate drainage of the River Great Ouse between Earith and Downham Market. The New Bedford River flows through the entire length of the washland and The River Delph flows through the washes either side of Welney. The flood waters are contained between 2 parallel embankments - The Old Bedford Barrier Bank and the Hundred Foot Bank - and the area between the banks is approximately 20 miles long and half a mile wide in places. It is permanent grassland and used for livestock grazing when not flooded and acts as washland or flood reservoir allowing the flow of water to the sea to be contained and released in a controlled way during the winter and occasionally in summer. Please visit Link

for more information.

Christopher Hilton

Ouse Washes, Welney Wetland and Wildfowl Trust centre

for more information.

Christopher Hilton

The Ouse Washes: Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre

Seen here, looking back from the wetland reserve, is the footbridge from the WWT centre building over the New Bedford River. The River itself is invisible behind embankments: the water in the foreground is a subsidiary drain.

Christopher Hilton

Sunset over the New Bedford River

Viewed from the footbridge at the WWT Welney Wetland Centre.

Rob Noble

Bridleway along Ouse Washes

Next stop Denver Sluice.

Hugh Venables

New Bedford River and Ouse Washes

The river is tidal at this point. The washes have some standing water but not much for the time of year after a dry summer and autumn.

Hugh Venables

Power lines across the Ouse Washes

Looking over the New Bedford River (also known as Hundred Foot Drain).

Hugh Venables

Pylon by Ouse Washes

With the bridleway to Denver Sluice going under the power lines.

Hugh Venables

Solar panels at Wry Necked Mill

These solar panels have become fairly common recently. They are paid for by the homeowners but in return they get a very good rate for the electricity produced, through the power companies and therefore ultimately their customers. The scheme is government backed but run through the energy companies so doesn't count as an official Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme, but ultimately as we all have to pay our energy bills it effectively is. The rates for electricity produced are to be cut in December 2011, leading to much longer payback periods for the investment (about 10-15 years when these were installed, the contract being for 25 years).

Hugh Venables

Ouse Washes

With a sluice into the New Bedford River.

Hugh Venables

Ouse Washes

A small flooded area but the washes were still largely dry.

Hugh Venables

Bridleway along Ouse Washes

The power lines are coloured, presumably to try to make them more visible to the swans and ducks that winter on the washes.

Hugh Venables

Ouse Washes

With some power lines crossing the washes and signs warning against casting fishing line too close to the wires.

Hugh Venables

Stile on Hundred Foot Bank

Linking the road and the bridleway along the top of the bank.

Hugh Venables

Hundred Foot bank

Looking towards Bank Farm with the access bridge to the Welney nature reserve beyond.

Hugh Venables

Bridleway along Ouse Washes

With some of the houses by Hundred Foot Bank just northeast of where the road turns away from the washes.

Hugh Venables

Bridleway along Ouse Washes

The gates where the road turns away from the washes provide a link between the bridleway and the road (that doesn't involve ducking through the barbed wire fence)

Hugh Venables