Market Weston Fen is one of the finest fragments of valley fen in East Anglia.  With over 250 flowering plants, 20 species of butterfly and 200 types of moth, it is a nationally and internationally important wildlife site and both a UK Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Our nature reserve was 44 acres of the total 124 acres of rich valley fen which is designated as SSSI.  After a a unique opportunity to buy a further 47 acres of fen to create a 91 acre nature reserve we have more than doubled the size. This means that three quarters of the SSSI is owned and managed directly for wildlife.

A legacy gift kindly left to the Trust by David Feavearyear put the land purchase within our reach – and we raised a further £40,000 through a successful fundraising appeal and the purchase was completed at the end of 2006.   Thank you to all who contributed!

Thank you also to Biffawrd who are funding habitat restoration and grazing infrastructure improvements.

Small wetlands are particularly vulnerable to outside influences, especially impacts on water levels.   As well as increasing the area of wildlife habitat, enlarging the nature reserve has helped to secure the site’s hydrology and give the fen a more stable future.

Using our experience from other reserves, we have introduced winter grazing with our hebridean sheep flock on the drier margins of the new land.  This has encouraged grazing cattle to push deeper into the heart of the fen during the summer months and maximise the restorative benefits of grazing.

Directions TL 983789
You are most welcome to visit the nature reserve, but please park with consideration for our neighbours. 

Current SWT reserve 17.5ha
Land for sale 19.3ha
Total SSSI 49.87ha

David Feavearyear was a member of the Trust for 15 years and his legacy will ensure the fen’s unique wildlife can be enjoyed by generations to come.  Click here for more information about leaving a legacy for wildlife.

Market Weston reserve information.