Stretching for miles along the River Nene, the Nene Washes are one of Britain’s most important areas of seasonally flooded meadow. Managed by the RSPB, this internationally significant wetland is a haven for wildlife and a spectacular place for birdwatching.
In winter, thousands of whooper and Bewick’s swans arrive from the Arctic, joined by flocks of wigeon, teal, and lapwing. In spring and summer, the washes come alive with the bubbling calls of breeding black-tailed godwits, snipe drumming overhead, and the distinctive sound of corncrakes. The reserve also plays a vital role in flood management, echoing centuries of fenland engineering.