Chippenham Fen National Nature Reserve
Chippenham Fen's 120 hectares of habitats include beds of saw-sedge and common reed, grazed wet meadows rich in wild flowers, meadows cut for hay, chalk grassland, carr woodland and scrub, and mature woodland. There are several ponds on the site and a system of dykes take water from the springs, in the south of the reserve, to the Chippenham River, near its northern boundary.
Flowers & moths
More than 400 species of wild flowers have been recorded in the reserve and it is the main British site for the very rare Cambridge milk parsley (May - July is best time to visit for flowers). More than 500 species of moths occur, including fen specialities such as the silver barred and reed leopard moth. Many nationally scarce and rare invertebrates have been found here, and 10 species are known in the UK only from this site.
Birds: Breeding birds seen at Chippenham Fen include woodcock, snipe, all three British woodpeckers and nine species of warbler.
Location and access: The reserve can be accessed via by public footpaths, but access away from these paths is by permit only. For details, or to obtain a leaflet describing the reserve, telephone the site office on 01638 721329. The reserve is six kilometres north of Newmarket between the village of Chippenham and the town of Fordham.
By car, Fordham is accessed via the A142, and Chippenham via the B1085 from the A11 (A14). The nearest car parking is in Fordham and Chippenham.
Chippenham is on the route of the Icknield Way, and the reserve is accessed via public footpaths from Fordham and Chippenham.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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