A. Launch into the lode down the grassy bank — it’s straightforward, but please no seal launching, so we protect the bank.

B. Initially the lode is enclosed by high banks, but soon the surrounding land drops away and the waterway runs on the top of an embankment, giving good views across a lonely fenscape.

C. In two miles you reach the junction of Reach and Burwell lodes and soon the wooden turnover bridge at the entrance to Wicken Lode.

D. If you continue on Reach Lode for another half mile, you will come to Upware Lock which connects to the River Cam and onto the River Great Ouse. Land on the right-hand bank and you can walk to the Five Miles From Anywhere - No Hurry riverside pub.

E. Pass under the wooden bridge and continue on Wicken Lode. The lode is high above the surrounding land, which has shrunk as the fen was drained.

F. Wicken Fen itself is kept artificially wet to preserve an original fen environment. You will pass the high lookout hide on your left; you are one kilometre from the café. Land at the landing stage on the left.

G. Please don’t sit at the picnic tables around the café and eat your own lunch or drink your own flasks; the tables are there for café customers. The café sells coffee, light lunches, pasties, etc., and excellent cakes!

H. Retrace your route to the junction of Reach and Burwell Lodes. If you continue to Burwell, you can land at the Environment Agency stage at the head of navigation, but parking is very limited.


I. It is best to turn right at the end of the navigation and continue along the narrow lode to the small bridge where you can get out up the bank either before or just after the bridge. The lode is shallow. A line will be useful for recovering your craft up the bank.