Welney Fen

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

England

Welney 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'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.
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The Ouse Washes: Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre Credit: Christopher Hilton

Welney Fen is a picturesque wetland located in Norfolk, England. Situated in the heart of the Fens, it spans an area of approximately 7,000 acres and is renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning natural beauty. The fen is primarily composed of marshy grassland, interspersed with numerous shallow pools and water channels.

The wetland is home to a wide array of plant and animal species, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including the iconic whooper swans that migrate here during winter from their breeding grounds in Iceland.

Welney Fen is also known for its rich history and archaeological significance. It is believed that the site has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of Bronze Age settlements and Roman farming practices discovered in the vicinity. The fen played a crucial role in the local economy during the medieval period, serving as a source of peat for fuel and a grazing ground for livestock.

The wetland is managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), which has established a visitor center to educate and engage visitors with the natural wonders of the fen. The center offers guided walks, bird hides, and interactive displays, providing a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of wetland conservation.

Welney Fen is a truly remarkable natural gem, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Its vast expanse of marshland, teeming with wildlife and steeped in history, makes it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the beauty of Norfolk's countryside.

Welney Fen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.538588/0.29560374 or Grid Reference TL5595. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Welney Fen is located at Grid Ref: TL5595 (Lat: 52.538588, Lng: 0.29560374)

Administrative County: Norfolk

District: King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Police Authority: Norfolk

What 3 Words

///broccoli.herbs.crackles. Near Southery, Norfolk

Nearby Locations

Welney Fen

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.538588,0.29560374
Power: tower
Lat/Long: 52.5416497/0.3002565
Power: tower
Lat/Long: 52.5378258/0.3021663
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.