Discover Lincolnshire's lost fenland at Willow Tree Fen, a former arable farm now nature reserve brimming with wildlife. As the water returned, so did the wildlife. Look for shelduck, snipe and common spotted orchids.
Willow Tree Fen was once intensively farmed arable land, growing beans and cereals. The Trust purchased the site in 2009 and nature has recovered. Now a more traditional fenland landscape of shallow meres, seasonally flooded pastures, hay meadows and reedbeds, it is rich in wildlife.
Many iconic wetland species are now thriving including lapwing, redshank, skylark, water rail, marsh harrier, shelduck, snipe, greater water parsnip, hairy dragonfly, spined loach and otter.
In 2020, a pair of cranes arrived at Willow Tree Fen and bred on the reserve for the first time - a first for Lincolnshire for at least 400 years. To secure their future on the site, the nature reserve is closed to visitors when cranes are on site (usually around February - October). During this time, the car park is open as a crane viewing area. Our Crane Watch volunteers are on hand to show you the best place to view the cranes at a distance whilst causing minimal disturbance. Binoculars are recommended.
opening times
The reserve is closed whilst cranes are on site. During this time, a Watch Point is provided from the car park at the entrance to the reserve.
more information
Willow Tree Fen
Counter Drain Drove
West of Spalding
PE11 3JH
things to do in the area
Tattershall Castle
Tattershall Castle is an impressive moated building owned by the National Trust. Built by Robert de Tateshale in the 15th century having received permission from Henry...
Tattershall
Ayscoughfee Hall
Set in 5.5 acres of gardens, Ayscoughfee Hall provides a fascinating glimpse into Spalding's past....
Spalding
Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre
One of the longest-running owl and bird of prey centres in Lincolnshire, providing affordable family days out for over 30 years....
Weston, Spalding
Bourne Woods
A quiet, atmospheric ancient woodland, home to an abundance of broad leaf and coniferous trees. Catch a glimpse of herons and kingfishers by the...
Bourne
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
The fascinating yet tranquil, consisting of over 150 clipped Yew Trees in all manner of unusual...
Rutland, near Oakham
Deepings Lakes Nature Reserve
A wetland nature reserves with lakes and pools, noted for its wildfowl and waterbird communities making it ideal for...
Deeping St James
Grantham Museum
Grantham Museum aims to educate, inform and inspire visitors with the stories of Grantham and the surrounding area....
Grantham
Sophie Allport
Visit homewares and lifestyle brand Sophie Allport, founded in 2007 by designer Sophie and her brother Jem. A British family favourite - enjoy country living and...
Stamford & Bourne
Springfields Shopping & Leisure
Discover this leading retail and leisure destination with over 50 premium High Street brands offering big...
Spalding
Tallington Lakes Leisure Park
Visit Tallington Lakes, fed with spring water, so it’s a pleasure to participate in the wide range of water sport activity....
Tallington, Stamford
Bowthorpe Oak
Visit this family farm in South Lincolnshire, home to the Bowthorpe Oak, the UK’s Largest Girthed Oak Tree....
Bourne
Fulbeck Craft Centre
Fulbeck Craft Centre is a stunning converted stable complex in Lincolnshire offering unique and locally sourced shopping and food....
Grantham
Newton’s Trail
Discover country lanes to be explored by car, bike or on foot. Find a whole community of attractions, places to stay, churches to visit and places to eat and drink...
Grantham area
Wyndham Park Grantham
Wyndham Park lies on the banks of the River Witham just to the north of Grantham Town Centre. It offers a wide range of facilities for young and old and proudly holds...
Grantham
Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post
The Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire was offered an intact bunker near Holbeach in south Lincolnshire...
Holbeach, Spalding
Pulvertoft Flowers
A monthly schedule of workshops with flowers at the heart of everything. Held in the flower field and barn, encouraging new...
Gedney Broadgate, Spalding
Stately Homes of South Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is blessed with a wealth of historic homes, each one totally unique and set in their own picture-perfect gardens....
Belton area
more like this in the county
Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve
Visit Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve on the large stretch of unspoilt coastline that runs southward from Skegness to the south of The...
Gibraltar Point
North Sea Observatory
The UK’s only purpose-built Marine Observatory, located at Chapel Point on the North edge of Chapel St...
Chapel St Leonards
Deepings Lakes Nature Reserve
A wetland nature reserves with lakes and pools, noted for its wildfowl and waterbird communities making it ideal for...
Deeping St James
Donna Nook
Donna Nook is a treasured landscape in the UK with Britain being home to 40% of the world’s grey seal...
Donna Nook, Louth
Frampton Marsh
Discover one of Europe’s most important locations for for freshwater wildlife. Gain access to close-up views of...
Boston
Freiston Shore
Discover this naturally regenerated salt marsh area providing valuable wildlife habitats all year round and excellent views for the...
Boston
Red Hill Nature Reserve
Discover Red Hill Nature Reserve, a steep natural chalk escarpment with acres of plateaued wild landscape with wild flower...
Stenigot, Louth
Waters’ Edge Country Park
Explore 110 acres of beautiful nature in the Waters' Edge Country Park and Nature Reserve. Discover more about the natural world with the interactive displays in the...
Barton upon Humber
Whisby Nature Park
Whisby Nature Park boasts an array of habitats and plant species. Just a short distance from Lincoln City centre is this relaxing natural...
Lincoln
Chapel Marsh Pit
Chapel Marsh Pit was created in 1953 after clay was extracted to repair the sea...
Chapel St Leonards
Far Ings Nature Reserve
This diverse landscape is constructed of reed-beds, meadow, scrub, freshwater and saltwater environments, providing rich microscopic life and habitats for invertebrates....
Barton upon Humber
Huttoft Bank Pit Nature Reserve
A former clay pit that features open water and extensive reedbeds. Fifteen species of duck have been recorded here and moorhen, water rail, reed bunting, reed and sedge...
Huttoft, near Alford
Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserve is open all year, but for dune flora May-June is recommended, May-October for migrant birds and the winter months...
Saltfleetby, near Louth
Sandilands Pit Nature Reserve
One of the smaller former clay pits which supports many duck species. Snipe like wet grassland and marsh and listen out for the males who makes a ‘drumming’ sound...
Sandilands
Wolla Bank Pit Nature Reserve
Wolla Bank Pit is flooded clay pits with Wolla Bank Reedbed on the opposite side of the road. A range of chalk-land flora as well as colonies of common spotted-orchid....
Anderby
Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve
Formerly the home of four brave RAF squadrons, Woodhall Spa Airfield is now a haven for...
Woodhall Spa
Snipe Dales Country Park
Discover mixed woodland in the Country Park and wet valleys, grassland and scrubland in the Nature...
Spilsby