Thelnetham Fen
“Stand still, close your eyes and listen to the whispering of the fen... ”
These small valley fens have survived the threat of nearby dredging of the Little Ouse River and are havens for water-loving plants. Both Old Fen and Middle Fen are dominated by a mix of saw sedge and black bog rush, with shows of grass-of-Parnassus in the calcium-rich spring flushes. Marsh lousewort grows here along with stonewort an interesting algae whose skeleton can be seen in pools amongst the sedge.
Old Fen is now mainly alder carr and has dried out to some extent, but the mixed sedge fen in the middle is bursting with wild flowers. Breeding birds include snipe, with its drumming mating display, and grasshopper warbler, identified by its reeling song.
Open fen areas are cared for by mowing and scrub removal. Thelnetham Fen is cared for by Suffolk Wildlife Trust on behalf of Thelnetham Foeffe.
Other Trust reserves nearby: Hopton Fen, Market Weston Fen, Redgrave & Lopham Fen.
Special dates for your diaries
Best time to visit
May - Aug
Site Manager:
Directions (Google Maps)
- Address
Logger's Lane, ThelnethamBetween Redgrave and Market Weston - Grid reference
TM014787 (reserve entrance) - Parking
Thelnetham village - Size
22 acres (8.8 hectares) - Local Facilities
Surrounding villages - Walking conditions
Can be muddy - Dogs
On leads only - Status
SSSI - Site of Special Scientific InterestA site of national importance identified by Natural England for its ecological or geological value.
Natura 2000 siteSites of European importance which host priority habitat types or priority species which are particularly at risk.
