Welcome
Where the River Great Ouse spills into the Cambridgeshire Fens, a reedbed is coming to life. Hanson and the RSPB are working together, transforming a working sand and gravel quarry into Ouse Fen nature reserve. When it is complete, Ouse Fen will boast the biggest reedbed in the UK.
Level access
There is level access from the car park to:
Picnic Area at the Welcome AreaGetting here
Travel by public transport
The nearest railway stations are at Huntingdon and Cambridge.
Huntingdon railway station is 8 miles / 12.9 km from RSPB Ouse Fen .
Cambridge train station is 18 miles (29 km) away.
Huntingdon and Cambridge train stations are linked by the Cambridgeshire Busway which runs between Cambridge, St Ives and Huntingdon. The Cambridgeshire Busway has regular services Mondays to Saturdays, and services on Sundays. The buses are wheelchair accessible.
From St Ives it is possible to take a bus to Earith but services are limited. The bus stop in Earith is approximately 1 mile from the reserve entrance. The route requires enabled access abilities.
For more information visit the Traveline website traveline.info or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or Cambridgeshire Busway website: thebusway.info.
Travel by taxi
Taxi services are available from Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives
Parking
There is parking at the site. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is 100m from the main entrance. Parking is currently free.
There is no formal drop-off point, but cars can readily enter and leave the car park. From the car park to the main entrance, there is level or gently sloped access including a large mobility kissing gate with RADAR key. The route is at least 12000mm wide.
The car park with spaces for 40 cars plus 6 dedicated Blue Badge parking bays.
A height barrier is in place (2.1m) opened only by special arrangement.
From the blue badge bays, there is level or gently sloped access on a combination of sealed asphalt and an ‘all access’ hoggin path 100m to the Welcome Area opposite the car park at the start of the Lockspit’s Mere Trail. There is no lighting.
Arriving by road: Nearest town is St Ives. By car, the reserve is off the B1050 between Earith and Willingham, 20 minutes from the A14.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The path from the public road to the main entrance is level or gently sloped at no steeper than 1V:20H.
The main entrance has a level ‘all access’ hoggin path around the Welcome Area which incorporates a picnic area and information point. Other reserve trails begin adjacent this area. There are two timber benches with backrests nearby.
There is no lighting.
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Lockspit’s Mere Trail
This short trail encompasses one of our smallest areas of wetland/reedbed. The trail is along grassy paths. These are largely level but there is one moderate slope and the ground may be soft in places from the Welcome Area onwards. There are two timber benches at intervals along the trail.
There are two raised viewpoints on grassy mounds accessible on paths with moderate (unquantified) gradients.
Designated Walking Trail
Crane's Fen Trail
This trail is an extension of the Lockspit's Mere Trail and takes in three separate areas of wetland/reedbed. When starting and finishing from the welcome area the trail is nearly 2.5 km in length. The trail is along grassy paths. These are largely level but there are a few gentle slopes and the ground may be soft in places, particularly in Winter. There are two timber benches at intervals along the trail.
There are seven raised viewpoints on grassy mounds accessible on paths with moderate (unquantified) gradients.
Picnic Area
Picnic Area at the Welcome Area
From the main entrance to the picnic area, there is a level all access hoggin path. The path is at least 12000mm wide.
There are two picnic tables with space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.
Lockspit's Mere Viewing Area
There is a gently (unquantified) sloping all access hoggin path to the viewing screen a further 100m on from the Welcome Area. The viewpoint at the picnic area is a low-level screen of 05-1.05 m in height. There is no lighting.
Other reserve trails begin immediately adjacent the welcome area. They are largely level, grassy paths, but have some gentle slopes and may be soft and uneven in places. Viewpoints on raised grassy mounds are accessible by moderate (unquantified) gradients.
Customer care support
The nearest public toilets including an accessible toilet are in St Ives bus station 3.5 miles/ 5.5 km away. There are baby changing facilities in the ladies and accessible WC. There are also accessible facilities at St Ives Park and Ride (also 3.5 miles / 5.5 km). The Cambridgeshire Busway stops at both these locations.
Registered assistance dogs are welcome in all publicly accessible areas. We ask dog walkers to protect our special wildlife by keeping their dogs on a lead and under close, effective control at all times on the main reserve trails.
Dog walkers are invited to use a dedicated off-lead dog walking area leading from the main car park. This is level on gravelly and grassy paths. Some of the route has a loose surface and the ground may be soft in places. There is one timber bench on the route.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Nature reserve with no indoor areas.