Events at Lakenheath Fen
Discover exciting events all year at Lakenheath Fen. Why not join us to see what's in our moth trap, or book your place on our summer guided walks?
Days out
Lakenheath Fen
Hockwold cum WiltonOpenSee opening timesOnce a stretch of farmland, this wetland reserve is now a rich mix of reedbeds, marshes and woodlands where Kingfishers and Otters thrive.
About
Come to Lakenheath Fen and see how the RSPB has transformed former carrot fields into a wetland home for Kingfishers, Common Cranes, Otters and Water Voles. Where once there was farmland, now there is a vast stretch of reedbeds and grazing marshes bursting with life, as well as rich woodlands that come alive with song in spring.
Since 1995, we’ve created early 500 hectares of reedbeds, grazed fenland and wet grasslands where wildlife abounds. We make sure wildlife continues to thrive by grazing grasslands to keep grass at the right length and controlling the water levels to benefit different birds at different times of year. Now the reedbeds are established, we cut them back to maintain a mosaic of old and new reeds.
This Suffolk nature reserve forms part of a network of fenland nature reserves close by. These include The National Trust’s Wicken Fen, the Woodland Trust’s Chippenham Fen and Woodwalton Fen, which is managed by Natural England.
These, together with the washlands of the rivers Great Ouse and Nene, ensure some of the region’s natural character and variety of wildlife are protected.
At a glance
80 spaces
6 Accessible spaces Accessible parking spaces 700 m from visitor centre. No drop off point. Loose gravel surface. Stone pathway between car park and centre smooth and level with limited gradient.
Pass system in the visitor centre for those with mobility difficulties to take a car down to the first viewpoint (limited to 6 cars, speak to a member of staff).
Lighting is in car park after dark. No height restriction barrier. No overnight parking or camping. Bicycle racks available (four spaces).
Accessible car park at New Fen open all year. Closing at 4pm in winter and 5pm in summer.
Our accessible toilet is open daily and is located in a separate block next to the visitor centre entrance.
Our baby changing facilities are located in our accessible toilet.
Parts of the reserve are pushchair-friendly, such as the picnic area by the Visitor Centre, Brandon Fen trail and the central hard track through New Fen to Joist Fen.
The riverbank footpath is more uneven, with two kissing gates, making it generally unsuitable for pushchairs.
Brandon Fen Family Trail - 1.8m wide circular, flat walk of 1.1km/0.75 mile. This is the most suitable trail for easy mobility. Rolled surface with fine stone.
Our toilets are open daily and located in a separate block next to the visitor centre entrance.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Dogs are welcome on the Washland Footpath. Please keep to the designated rights of way only.
When on the Washland Footpath, please keep your dog on a lead and under close, effective control at all times, due to the sensitive wildlife, habitats and livestock here.
Brandon Fen trail, Trial Wood trail, the East Wood trail and the Main Circular trail are not public footpaths, so sorry, no dogs are permitted here other than assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Plan your visit
Recent Sightings at Lakenheath Fen
BIRDS
- Avocet - 4 on the Washland - 22 May
- Osprey - 1 seen flying over Joist Fen Viewpoint - 22 May
- Kestrel - 1 hunting over the Washland edge - 22 May
- Grey Heron - 1 on the Washland - 22 May
- Redshank - 1 on the Washland - 22 May
- Lapwing - 4 on the Washland - 22 May
- Mute Swan - 2 on the Washland - 22 May
- Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 on the Washland - 22 May
- Hobby - first reported on 18 April. Numbers dropping now, as we move into early Summer. 11 on 21 May.
- Little Grebe - 2 chick family at New Fen - 21 May
- Black-tailed Godwit - 3 on the Washland - 21 May (4 on 20 May)
- Bittern - 5 seen on one visit on 21 May, with four together at once.
- Pochard - 6 on the Washland (1 female) - 18 May
- Little Tern - 3 over the Washland - 17 May
- Spotted Flycatcher - the first of 2026 - one seen in West Wood - 17 May
- Shelduck - 2 on the Washland - 17 May
- Cormorant - 1 flying along the river - 17 May
- Mistle Thrush - 1 singing near the Visitor Centre - 15 May
- Willow Warbler - 1 singing well in a willow near the ramp up to Gary's Pool - 15 May
- Gadwall - 2 on the Washland - 13 May
- Bearded Tit - a small group showing well at Mere Hide - 13 May
- Little Ringed Plover - 1 on the Washland - 13 May
- Common Sandpiper - 1 on the Washland - 13 May
- Barn Owl - a couple of birds seen during late night surveys on the reserve - 13 May
- Black Tern - 1 flying over the Washland - 12 May
- Dunlin - 1 on the Washland - 12 May
- Nightingale - 1 singing near the Visitor Centre - 12 May. 1 last heard singing along the riverbank, in poplars west of Joist Fen - 5 May
- Oystercatcher - 1 along the river near Joist Fen - 11 May
- Garganey - 1 on the Washland - 11 May
- Cuckoo - singing daily across the reserve, with the odd female seen too now.
- Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler and Whitethroat can be heard often in scrubby areas
- Lesser Whitethroat - Scarcer than Whitethroat but present here.
- Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler - singing across the reserve now, frequently heard.
- Sand Martin, House Martin, Swift and Swallow - look out for these in sometimes large groups flying over wet areas and reedbeds anywhere on the reserve - daily.
- Stonechat - Daily perched on riverside vegetation. The first fledglings of the year have been seen with their parents lately.
- Reed Bunting - Sometimes on the feeders at the Centre and the Photo Station too.
- Marsh Harrier - Nesting now and hunting across the reserve, daily. 1 seen over the Washland on 21 May
- Common Crane - 3 pairs seen on the reserve recently. We expect them to be here most days now, but they are elusive- keep an eye on them flying overhead!
- Cetti's Warbler - Calling across the reserve frequently, from damper areas
- Skylark and Meadow Pipit - seen flying overhead on occasion.
OTHER WILDLIFE
- Water Violet - looking beautiful as it flowers in the cut bays alongside the hard track at New Fen - 22 May
- Small tortoiseshell, Peacock, Orange-tip, Small White, Holly Blue and Brimstone butterflies are regularly sighted now. Painted Lady and Small Heath were added to the list on 3 May.
- Otter - 1 seen at New Fen - 2 May
- Banded Demoiselle, Four-spotted Chaser, Large Red Damselfly and Hairy Dragonfly have all been recorded in 2026 - with Scarce Chaser added on 21 May.
Contact Lakenheath Fen
lakenheath@rspb.org.uk Lakenheath Fen, Station Rd Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9AD 01842 863400