Willow Tree Fen

Cranes displaying at Willow Tree Fen © David Roberts

No dogs

Viewpoint

Car park

Willow Tree Fen

Situated between Baston and Spalding, Willow Tree Fen is a relatively new nature reserve, transformed from arable land to a more traditional fenland landscape.

In 2020, with the extra solitude created by lockdown, cranes returned to the Lincolnshire Fens and successfully raised a chick. They have now become largely resident, leaving the reserve only for a short period in the depths of winter.

Visitor Information

Know before you go

Facilities

A viewing point is located in the car park, where our volunteers will help answer any of your questions.
Small car park
There are no toilet facilities available

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on the nature reserve including in the car park and viewing area.

Opening times

Summer: the viewing area is open daily from 9am until 7pm.
Winter: the viewing area is open from 9am until dusk.

Occasionally, we may have to close at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances. If the car park is closed, you can view from the river bank.

Visitor FAQs

There have been several changes at Willow Tree Fen nature reserve. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please check our frequently asked questions and see if we can help.

Willow Tree Fen FAQs

Group visits

Willow Tree Fen is not suitable for group visits.

Car park

The car park is off Counter Drain Drove opposite Bank House Farm (PE11 3JH).

Location and contact details

Willow Tree Fen
Counter Drain Drove,
West of Spalding,
Lincolnshire,
PE11 3JH

Please note, this postcode is for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.

There is no access to Willow Tree Fen from the Macmillan Way or from Slipe Drove/West Pinchbeck.

OS Map Reference: TF 181 213

What3Words: ///dolphins.donates.puddings

Contact number: 01507 526667
Contact email: info@lincstrust.co.uk

Habitats and species

When the Trust bought Willow Tree Fen in 2009 it was intensively farmed arable land growing beans and cereals. Nature has recovered. Now a more traditional fenland landscape of shallow meres, seasonally flooded pastures, hay meadows and reedbeds, it is rich in wildlife.

Cattle graze Willow Tree Fen from April to November. They are an essential part of the management of the nature reserve. The cattle help to maintain the open conditions and prevent willow from invading the site.

Many of our 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. They have now taken up residence.