Stonebridge Lane, Fulbourn, near Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB21 5BW
Fulbourn Fen
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
8.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.0Ancient flower-rich meadows hold thousands of orchids in early summer, while earthworks in Moat Meadow mark the site of a medieval manor and the old village of Fulbourn.
Fulbourn Fen is more than a quiet patch of countryside: its 31 hectares combine unusually varied chalk-influenced fen and grassland, six recorded orchid species and the visible earthworks of a medieval manor. The contrast between dry, flower-rich meadow and year-round wet ground makes a short visit feel unexpectedly rich.
Peaceful · Secluded · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapStonebridge Lane, Fulbourn, near Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB21 5BW
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow around an hour for the short Fulbourn Fen circular, or longer to pause among the reserve’s distinct meadows. Look for spring cowslips in Ox Meadow, orchid-rich East Fen in early summer and the manor earthworks in Moat Meadow. Paths and ground conditions may be unsuitable for pushchairs; the reserve is not wheelchair accessible.
Things to do
Look for cowslips in Ox Meadow
The reserve source describes cowslips carpeting the driest meadow in spring, beneath two old oaks.
Seek out the manor earthworks
Moat Meadow contains defensive earthworks associated with a medieval manor house; the reserve source links them to the former extent of old Fulbourn village.
Look for orchids in East Fen
East Fen is the reserve’s wettest meadow. The Wildlife Trust reports that thousands of orchids bloom there in early summer, including early marsh and southern marsh orchids.
Notice the fen’s changing ground and plants
Look for rushes and water mint in the persistently wet low areas, and notice how hummocks and hollows contribute to the range of habitats.
Watch for meadow and woodland wildlife
The reserve source notes lizards and grass snakes basking on grassy tussocks in summer, snipe probing soft mud in winter, and birds including chiffchaff, great spotted woodpecker and kestrel.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 0.5–1 hour
The fen’s flower-rich heart
- 01
Start from the small car park on Stonebridge Lane.
- 02
Follow the short circular walk around Fulbourn Fen, allowing time to pause at the different meadow habitats.
- 03
Look for the medieval manor earthworks in Moat Meadow and, in season, flowers in the grassland.
Half day · Around 2 hours for the sourced Fulbourn Fen circular; longer route duration not confirmed
A longer Fulbourn landscape walk
- 01
Visit Fulbourn Fen and take time to explore its meadow habitats and manor earthworks.
- 02
For a longer outing, consult the Fulbourn area walking guide for its Fulbourn Fen and Little Wilbraham River walk; verify the current route and conditions before setting out.
- 03
Keep dogs on a lead within the reserve and take account of grazing animals.
Verified history
Moat Meadow contains defensive earthworks of a medieval manor house. The Wildlife Trust describes these as a reminder that old Fulbourn once lay across much of the reserve. A supplied walking page separately identifies the remains as Dunmowes Manor and attributes the 13th-century manor to Alan la Zouche; that detail is not stated in the reserve’s own account.
Hidden details
A manor beneath the meadow — The earthworks in Moat Meadow are not just bumps in the grass: the Wildlife Trust identifies them as the defensive remains of a medieval manor house and connects them with the old village of Fulbourn.
Chalk water feeds a wet fen — Water draining from higher ground carries chalk into East Fen, helping create the conditions for fen vegetation; the lowest ground remains wet year-round.
The reserve holds six recorded orchid species — The Wildlife Trust reports six orchid species recorded in the varied grassland and thousands flowering in East Fen during early summer.
When to go
April · May · June · July · Daylight hours; no more specific time is evidenced.
The reserve source recommends spring and summer. Spring brings cowslips in Ox Meadow; thousands of orchids bloom in East Fen in early summer.
Fen ground can be wet. The supplied route source describes the circular as easy but advises that livestock may be encountered. Check conditions before visiting.
Worth pairing with
Fulbourn Fen and Little Wilbraham River walk
A longer walk listed in the Fulbourn area walking guide. Confirm the current route, access and conditions before setting out.
What to look for
- 01
In Ox Meadow, look for cowslips beneath two old oaks and flowers of chalk grassland. In Moat Meadow, find the defensive earthworks of the medieval manor. In East Fen, look for orchids among rushes and water mint
- 02
the Wildlife Trust reports six orchid species recorded across the varied grassland.
The story
Medieval manor earthworks and the former extent of old Fulbourn village.
Best time to go
Spring and summer; spring brings cowslips, while thousands of orchids bloom in early summer.
Visit in spring for cowslips and other meadow flowers, or in early summer for the orchid display. The reserve is open during daylight hours.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families · Dogs
Practical information
Opening & access
Wildlife Trust BCN reserve, open during daylight hours; no entry fee. A small car park is on Stonebridge Lane. Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Dogs must be kept on a lead.
Parking
Small car park on Stonebridge Lane; check before visiting for current arrangements.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting; the supplied reserve source does not confirm on-site food or facilities.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a lead at the reserve.
Accessibility
Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Check current path conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
Wet fen and meadow; no swimming or paddling permission evidenced.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Fulbourn Fen
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph6.8Fulbourn Fen
Stonebridge Lane, Fulbourn, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB21 5BW
0.0 km away
Place photograph7.1Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits
Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 8NQ
4.5 km away
Place photograph5.2Bramblefields Local Nature Reserve
Laxton Way, northwest Cambridge, CB4 1FL
7.3 km away
