Eagle Mill were mentioned in a recent The Times feature, and it got us thinking about the many marvellous Cambridgeshire nature reserves that we’re surrounded by. From ancient woods and meadows to chalk pits and fenland, these protected habitats are well worth a visit during your stay at Eagle Mill.
Woodwalton Fen
A stunning and historically significant nature reserve in Cambridgeshire. Woodwalton Fen is part of the Great Fen Project, which seeks to restore vast areas of fenland and create havens for wildlife, and natural flood management systems.
Woodwalton Fen is one of the oldest nature reserves in England, established in 1910 by Charles Rothschild. The nature reserve is owned by the Wildlife Trust BCN and is managed by Natural England. It is a last haven for many rare fen species.
Woodwalton Fen is only a 20-minute drive from Eagle Mill.
Houghton Meadows
Houghton Meadows is a beautiful National Trust nature reserve located in the village of Houghton, which is within walking distance of Eagle Mill.
The meadows have been managed for centuries using traditional hay-cutting and grazing practices, preserving their biodiversity and historical character. Such traditionally managed meadows have become increasingly rare due to modern agricultural practices, making Houghton Meadows an invaluable habitat.
This Cambridgeshire nature reserve is rich in wildflowers and a haven for pollinators, birds and mammals.
Here is a lovely walk, which incorporates the working 18th-century Houghton watermill.
Godmanchester Nature Reserve
Godmanchester Nature Reserve consists of four lakes which are former gravel pits. Interspersed with the lakes are areas of grassland and ancient hedgerows which provide habitats for many birds.
This Godmanchester wildlife sanctuary walk incorporates the nature reserve and Portholme Meadow. The route is better suited to the spring and summer months because Portholme is a flood plain meadow.
Grafham Water
England’s third largest reservoir and prime Cambridgeshire bird watching site is a 20-minute drive from Eagle Mill. Whether you’re a keen birdwatcher; enjoy watersports, walking or cycling, Grafham Water is sure to deliver.
The reservoir was created in 1965 to provide people with drinking water and was immediately colonised by wildlife. The Cambridgeshire nature reserve surrounds the western side of the reservoir and contains ancient and plantation woodlands, grasslands and wetland habitats.
Pingle Cutting
Pingle Cutting is a disused railway track that has developed into fine meadow grassland. This Cambridgeshire nature reserve is located north of Warboys – a 10-minute drive from Eagle Mill – with over 50 bird and 300 moth species having been recorded here.
The sheltered microclimate created by the cutting’s structure makes it ideal for certain species that prefer warmer, protected conditions.
Here are some popular Warboys routes to choose from.
Beechwoods
Beechwoods, near central Cambridge, is a small yet impressive wood of majestic beeches.
The reserve was originally planted in the 1840s, and if you look close enough you can spot medieval plough terraces beneath the trees. West of the old wood, local people planted a new area of broadleaved trees in 1992. These trees will mature to provide a range of habitats to complement the old wood.
In the spring, white helleborine orchids flower under the trees and be sure to listen out for the woodpeckers nestling in the beeches, which provide a natural habitat for them.
Here you’ll find a recommended 4km guided walk.
Dogsthorpe Star Pit
This Cambridgeshire nature reserve is noted for its rare and diverse wildlife. Dogsthorpe Star Pit in Peterborough provides habitats for species that thrive in wetlands, sandy soils, and open grasslands. 63 species of water beetle can be found in the shallow pools. Damselflies and dragonflies also emerge from the pools in spring and summer, and kingfishers hunt in the pools. Flowering plants such as bee and pyramidal orchids cover the grassland banks, attracting insects such as the meadow brown butterfly.
Dogsthorpe Star Pit is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), highlighting its importance for nature conservation and its role in protecting rare species and habitats.
Fulbourn Fen
Fulbourn Fen is a beautiful and ecologically significant nature reserve located near the village of Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire. Managed by the Wildlife Trust, it is one of the best examples of fenland habitat in the region and holds immense natural and historical value.
This Cambridgeshire nature reserve is made up of a collection of meadows that have a high diversity of plants and insects. You’ll discover cowslips in the spring, along with lady’s bedstraw and purple flowers of stemless thistle. The meadows are also a haven for birds such as warblers, owls, woodpeckers and winter visitors like snipe.
Moat Meadow is home to the defensive earthworks of a Medieval manor house, reminding us that the old village of Fulbourn once lay over much of the site.
The Fulbourn Fen Circular is a short but beautiful walking route.
Gamsey Wood
Gamsey Wood is not widely developed for tourism, making it a peaceful spot for local walkers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts. It’s a mere 15-minute drive away from Eagle Mill.
A Cambridgeshire nature reserve dominated by ash and field maple trees. Gamsey Wood is believed to be a fragment of the ancient forest that covered much of this area in Saxon times. Like many ancient woodlands, Gamsey Wood faces pressures from surrounding land use, climate change, and invasive species. Conservation efforts in the region focus on protecting the wood from encroachment and ensuring its continued ecological health.
Hayley Wood
Hayley Wood is a well-known ancient woodland near the village of Little Gransden in Cambridgeshire. It is celebrated for its rich biodiversity, historical significance, and the beauty of its springtime wildflowers.
The wood is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is classified as ancient woodland, because it has been continuously wooded for at least 400 years. It has a long history, first mentioned in the 13th century, and has been managed historically through coppicing.
Visit our ‘Things to do’ page for other countryside and river walk recommendations.
