Safari tents in Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve

Nature flourishes amid the marshes and fenlands of the Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, home to more than 9,000 wetland species. Explore the patchwork fens by bike, take a boat cruise along the waterways, or follow the boardwalks through the grassy meadows and reedbeds. Look out for birds, butterflies, and dragonflies around the water’s edge, or admire the reserve’s free-roaming herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies. There’s no camping in the reserve itself, but campsites dot the surrounding fenlands. There’s also a wild camping site—reachable only on foot or by bike— just south of the reserve.

89% (5)

Top-rated campgrounds

Nature flourishes amid the marshes and fenlands of the Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, home to more than 9,000 wetland species. Explore the patchwork fens by bike, take a boat cruise along the waterways, or follow the boardwalks through the grassy meadows and reedbeds. Look out for birds, butterflies, and dragonflies around the water’s edge, or admire the reserve’s free-roaming herds of Highland cattle and Konik ponies. There’s no camping in the reserve itself, but campsites dot the surrounding fenlands. There’s also a wild camping site—reachable only on foot or by bike— just south of the reserve.

89% (5)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Rural Relaxing

93%

(14)

22 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Market Harborough, Leicestershire, East Midlands

Family-friendly camping and glamping on the edge of Medbourne – a charming Leicestershire village with a pub, tea rooms and post office

2. Springfield Farm Campsite

100%

(1)

28 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Gedney Hill, England

A family-friendly site with farm animals in the Lincolnshire Fens

3. Woodchests Glamping

100%

(2)

3 units · Glamping · Pebmarsh, England

Safari tents in North Essex, close to the Suffolk border, with a fishing lake nearby.

4. Wild Luxury - Drove Orchards

2 units · Glamping · Hunstanton, England

The site's warm and cosy safari lodges at Drove Orchards are a 25 minute walk from the beautiful sandy beach at Holme Dunes. Set adjacent to a Wild Life centre in more than 350 acres of orchards, farmland and wild meadows. T Each of the safari lodges sleep two to six people and have their own and shower facilities - perfect for families. You'll find comfy beds, a toasty wood burner (for cooking and heating)y and everything else necessary for your stay, right down to the cutlery and utensils. Lodges have power so you can still enjoy all your home creature comforts. There is also a sundeck outside to relax and enjoy the countryside views. The well-known Drove Orchards Rural Market is just a few minutes walk from camp with a farm shop, fishmongers, Yurt restaurant, Eric's Fish and Chip restaurant, artisan shops, cycle hire and an ice cream parlour. The lovely North Norfolk coastal village of Thornham is just a 15 minute walk with the Lifeboat Inn and the Orange Tree. The well known Thornham Deli offers a restaurant and deli counter, perfect for planning a picnic. There are two sets of four lodges and a set of three lodges, all by themselves, which are perfect for larger groups of 12-18 guests. All lodges are well spaced. Thornham is within the Norfolk's coast 'Golden Triangle' with adjacent villages such as Brancaster, Burnham Market, Holkham, Sandringham and Old Hunstanton popular places to visit.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Safari tents in Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve guide

When to go

Summer is peak season at Wicken Fen, and the boardwalks can get crowded, especially on weekends and school holidays. Some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities are in springtime, while increased rainfall through autumn and winter makes the wild landscapes appear even more dramatic. The reserve is open year-round, but boat tours and bike rentals are only available from Easter through October.

Know before you go

Wicken Fen is located in Cambridgeshire, about a 40-minute drive from Cambridge.
There’s no public transport to the park, but trains run to Ely, a 20-minute taxi ride away.
The reserve has restrooms, a café, and a visitor centre. Bike rental is available, but advance booking is recommended.
There is an entrance fee to visit the reserve, as well as a parking fee.
The boardwalks are accessible for wheelchairs, but advance booking is recommended as access can be tricky at busy times.