East Anglia Fens and Fenland guide and history to the Wash across
Cambridgshire, Lincolnshire and West Norfolk UK.
The Fens are unique with a history and character
all of their own. This area of England fans out from the Wash
across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and West Norfolk UK. Once an
inhospitable swampy wilderness, the Fens has been tamed to leave us
today with a network of intricate waterways, which are renown as
some of Britain's most atmospheric and tranquil.
Helpful and informative advice to make your holiday, or visit, that
much more enjoyable and safer. Maps and Guides are offered as an
essential aid to help you get the best out of your visit.
The pleasure of cruising the Fens, lies with the open uncrowded
waters and distant horizons of the 'big sky' landscape. The area
also has a high reputation for the quality of fishing, being
particularly noted for its coarse fishing, for bream, roach, rudd,
pike and zander.
The history of the Fens is a fascinating story of
a landscape and it people, where man and nature have interacted to
create the Fens environment of today. It is a story of an amazing
transition from the wetland wilderness of old to the people made
landscape of today.
Religious Communities
In Anglo Saxon and Medieval times the precious areas of dry land
rising above the fen, attracted the attention of religious
communities. In truly grand style, they founded great cathedrals
and monasteries, dominating the skyline and life of the surrounding
Fens.
Ely - The ancient city of Ely occupies the largest island in the
Fens. In the 7th century, St. Ethelreda founded a religious
community on its hill top site. Rich in folk history, Ely was the
stronghold of Hereward the Wake, who used the island to stage the
final Anglo Saxon resistance against the Norman invasion.
The main development of the city originates from the late 11th
Century when construction of the cathedral commenced. Both the
cathedral and the surrounding Fens have played a major role in the
history of Ely through the centuries.
Today, Ely is characterised by its pattern of narrow streets and
monastic buildings, gathered around the spectacular cathedral.
Visitors can explore the ancient buildings and medieval gateways,
stroll along the riverside or simply enjoy the peaceful relaxed
charm of this historic city. In addition to the cathedral, visit
Oliver Cromwells house or Ely museum for a fascinating insight into
the history of the city and surrounding Fens.
Elsewhere in the Fens, the abbeys at Ramsey, Thorney and Chatteris
along with Spalding Priory were influential in the development of
these market towns. Ten miles south of Spalding, the small town of
Crowland is dominated by the remains of its medieval abbey. Still
functioning as the parish church, and featuring an interpretative
exhibition, the original abbey was founded in 716 in memory to St.
Guthlac. Rebuilt between 1114 and the 15th century, it was on a
massive scale, dominating the surrounding Fens. Another landmark in
Crowland is the unique medieval triangular bridge in the centre of
town.
Historic Wash Ports
Since medieval times the historic Fen towns clustered around the
Wash have developed as important ports, enjoying a busy trade with
the Low Countries and the Hanseatic League of German and Baltic
maritime cities. Along with Boston and Kings Lynn the towns of
Wisbech and Spalding now several miles inland, once occupied
positions on the medieval coastline of the Wash. Through drainage
and reclamation, the Wash coastline is very different today.
However, Wisbech,now 12 miles inland is still an active port.
Boston: Situated on the banks of the River Witham, Boston has long
traditions as a port and boasts a wealth of buildings and
architecture reflecting its great trading role. The skyline is
dominated by St. Bartolph's Church, Englands largest parish
church, rising 272 feet above the River Witham. Another imposing
landmark is the Maud Foster Windmill, England's tallest working
windmill.
The Guildhall Museum, dating back to 1450, depicts the town's
Maritime history and features a free inter active computer
simulation of what life was like around 1536. The museum also
includes the cells and courtroom where the Pilgrim Fathers were
tried and imprisoned. Nearby in Spain Lane, Black friars Arts
Centre is a lively venue housed in a 13th Century Dominican
friary.
King's Lynn: Over 900 years of maritime and trading history are
preserved in the historic core of King' Lynn. Still a busy port and
thriving commercial centre, the town's medieval churches and
guildhalls, secret courtyards and hidden alleys leading down to the
river, combine and hidden alleys leading down to the river, combine
with the lively atmosphere of two busy market places.
A sample of Lynn's rich history can be found at the Custom House,
Lynn Museum and the Town House Museum. Alternatively, visit True's
Yard, Lynn's last remaining fishermen's yard in the fishing quarter
- the North End, where you can discover some of Lynn…s most
infamous criminals and see the town's magnificent treasures,
including the unique 14th century King John Cup.
Georgian Towns
The large scale draining of the Fens in the 17th and 18th centuries,
created rich farming land which brought great trade and prosperity
to the Fen towns.
Wisbech: in Wisbech the period 1700 - 1850 witnessed tremendous
growth, which established the fine buildings to be seen today. The
Crescent and Museum Square display fine architecture including
Wisbech 'Castle' and the Fenland Museum which gives an excellent
insight into the history of the town and surrounding Fens. North
Brink beside the River Nene has been described as 'one of the most
perfect Georgian streets in England' and features Pechkover House
and 18th century town house, also Elgoods Brewery, a traditional
18th century brewery. Across the river on South Brink is the
Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum commemorating the life and work of
the founding member of the National Trust and crusader for housing
reform.
Spalding is characterised by grand Georgian terraces which flank
the River Welland. The town has become noted as the centre of
Britain's flower and bulb industry and is the home of the famous
Spalding Flower Parade, usually held in May.
Situated alongside the river, the restored Medieval manor house of
Ayscoughfee Hall which is now a museum, telling the fascinating
history of the area including the drainage and reclamation of the
south Lincolnshire Fens. The museum is complemented by attractive
formal gardens. Many attractions around Spalding offer plenty of
interest for everyone, making the town an ideal touring base.
Market Towns
Throughout the Fens you can enjoy the traditional atmosphere and
friendly slow pace of historic market towns, with a lifestyle much
cherished in today's fast paced world.
The town of March, originally a small island community, developed
as a Tudor Port and later as a railway town in the 19th century.
With the Old River Nene flowing through its centre, it has been
described as 'The Thameside town in miniature', with many
attractive cottages and buildings alongside the river. The
fascinating history of the town is told in the March Museum.
Similarly, the towns of Chatteris, Littleport and Whittlesey grew
from small island communities. Whittlesey is characterised by the
17th century Butter Cross in the centre of the market place. The
town is an interesting maze of streets with well preserved
architecture spanning several centuries.
Littleport near Ely is famous as the scene of the Littleport Riots
of the 19th century.
Chatteris is a typical Fenland market town popular with anglers and
bird watchers attracted to the surrounding Fens.
To the south of King's Lynn, the attractive town of Downham Market
occupies a site on the edge of the Fens. Characterised by its
unusual clock tower in the market place, it is an excellent base
for exploring Fen villages, such as Upwell, Outwell and Stow
Bardolph.
The Story of the Fens
The history of the Fens is a fascinating story of a landscape and
it people, where man and nature have interacted to create the Fens
environment of today. It is a story of an amazing transition from
the wetland wilderness of old to the people made landscape of
today. This spans the centuries from Bronze Age, Roman and Anglo
Saxon times, when habitation was limited to isolated islands and a
wide silt ridge which formed around the Wash. Between Domesday and
the 13th Century a gradual reclamation of land took place by
building banks as flood protection from the surrounding uplands.
The Dark Ages saw a halt to reclamation, however by the early 17th
century, with economic recovery, the attention of speculators
turned to draining the peat fens in the south and remaining
undrained silt fens further north. Under the guidance of the 4th
Earl of Bedford, the speculators or adventurers started work on the
systematic draining of the Fens. Experienced engineers were
commissioned, such as the dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden, who
undertook the greatest scheme, constructing the Old and New Bedford
Rivers between Earith and Denver.
Local opposition was considerable as the systematic drainage of the
land threatened the traditional fishing and wildfowling rights of
the Fen dwellers. Their fierce resistance and destruction of the
drainage work earned them the name "Fen Tigers".
Drainage schemes continued, but unexpectedly, the land began to
shrink at an alarming rate as the soil dried out. As the level of
the land dropped, water could no longer drain into the rivers which
were by now higher than the fields. Wind pumps were introduced to
pump water off the land and into the rivers but their reliance on
adequate wind and continued shrinkage of the land saw the task
become increasingly difficult. It was not until steam power was
introduced in the 1820's that the Fens were effectively drained.
At one time the Fens landscape was once dominated by up to seven
hundred windmills, built in timber or brick to drain the land or
mill the corn. Many have since disappeared, yet some still survive
towering over the Fens. These include Denver Mill near Downham
Market, The Great Mull Haddenham,Downfield, Stevens, Wicken and
Swaffham windmills south of Ely, Sibsey Trader Mill north of Boston
and Maud Foster Windmill in the town of Boston at seven storeys
high, the tallest working windmill in Britain.
Today there is a sophisticated network of drains, embankments and
pumps to protect the land from the ever present threat of rain and
tide.
Produce
Generations of Fen people have maintained a close kinship with the
land. History, nature and the ingenuity of man have provided a
landscape unrivalled for its rich fertile soils and abundant
variety of crops.
From the rich dark peaty soils in the south and west to the fertile
silt of the north, wherever you go in the Fens you will find a wide
variety of different flowers, fruit and vegetable crops being grown.
Different crops are grown to suit local soils and conditions -
apple orchards, soft fruit and strawberries around Wisbech,
cabbages, cauliflower and brussel sprouts around Boston, flower
bulbs around Spalding, carrots and celery in the peat soils around
Ely and Chatteris.
Throughout the seasons, the ever changing landscape offers wonderful
floral displays. Yellow carpets of daffodils in spring, vivid
summer displays of roses in bloom and spectacular flower festivals
demonstrate the importance of flower growing in the Fens.
The Fens are the centre of Britain's bulb and seed industry, a rich
heritage proudly displayed through festivals, show gardens and
flower displays.
The famous Spalding Flower Parade draws in thousands of visitors
year after year to marvel at the procession of floral floats
decorated with the flowers of around eight million tulips. Taking
place around the festival, the South Holland Church Flower Festival
offers marvellous displays over a two week period.
Tourist Information Offices
Boston
Market Place
Boston
Lincolnshire PE21 6NN
Tel: 01205 356656
E-mail:
Downham Market
The Priory Centre
Priory Road
Downham Market
Norfolk PE38 9JT
Tel: 01366 387440
E-mail:
Ely
Oliver Cromwells House
29 St. Marys Street
Ely
Cambridgeshire CB7 4HF
Tel: 01353 662062
E-mail:
Spalding
Ayscoughfee Hall
Churchgate
Spalding
Lincs PE11 2RA
Tel: 01775 725468
Wisbech
2 - 3 Bridge Street
Wisbech
Cambridgeshire PE13 1EW
Tel: 01945 583263
