Redgrave & Lopham Fen is the largest remaining river valley fen in England and the source of the River Waveney. As one of the most important wetlands in Europe, Redgrave and Lopham Fen now has international protection. As well as open fen the reserve includes a mixture of wet heathland, open water, scrub and woodland. The underlying acid and alkaline geology has resulted in characteristic wildlife including many species now rare in Britain.

Historically local people dug peat for fuel, harvested reed and sedge for thatching and grazed the drier margins with cattle. With the demise of these activities, together with post-war drainage and water abstraction, the fen began to dry out and degrade.

The Trust’s restoration project has included the reinstatement of traditional management, grazing with a herd of resilient Polish Konik ponies, beef cattle and hebridean sheep, peat scraping to expose fresh wet peat and the re-siting of a public water abstraction borehole. This has resulted in rehydration of the fen and the gradual return of its wonderful wildlife. Already wetland species such as butterwort, marsh fragrant orchid and cross-leaved heath have made a comeback as have breeding snipe.

Nearby Trust reserves:
Hopton Fen

Market Weston Fen

Roydon Fen
Thelnetham Fen

Wortham Ling

New volunteering opportunities - more volunteers needed to join our conservation work parties.

Sheila Tilmouth's artist residency with the Fen Raft Spider 2009

Wildlife at Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Wildlife Watch club at the fen

Fen ecology and restoration

Grazing at the Fen

Fen trails

Discover species at the fen - flash game

Educational visits at the Fen

Download the Redgrave & Lopham Fen leaflet

Events at Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Christmas Workshop
Come along and learn to m ake a wreath or table decoration. All materials are provided and price is £7.50/£10 depending on arrangement chosen. Come between 10am-4pm on Sunday 29th December. Contact  redgrave.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org or 01379 688333 to book.

Quiz Night
General knowledge quiz with jacket potato supper. Please bring your own drink and glasses. The quiz is on Tuesday 8th Decemebr at 7.30pm. Teams of 4 at £5 per person. Contact  redgrave.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org or 01379 740041 to book.

More events

Fully accessible visitor centre with café (weekends) and disabled toilet, picnic area and designated parking. Wheelchair may be pushed in dry conditions over grass path to boardwalk with fen viewing platform (250m from centre). The longer Spider Trail can be used by a powered wheelchair or scooter in summer.