Willow Tree Fen and River Glen Spalding
This pretty nature reserve near Spalding has three colour coded walking trails to try. The reserve is located on the River Glen so there are nice waterside paths to follow. It is a typical fenland setting with meres, flooded pastures, hay meadows and reedbeds. Look out for lots of water loving wildlife such as black tailed godwit, marsh harriers, wigeon, teal, lapwing, redshank and snipe. You may also spot an otter or water vole by the river.
The Macmillan Way runs through the reserve along the river so there is scope for extending your walk. Heading west will take you towards Thurlby while heading east takes you into Pinchbeck near Spalding.
Also nearby is Bourne Woods where there are miles of walking and cycling trails through ancient woodland with a mixture of conifers and broad-leaved trees, ponds and sculptures.
Postcode
PE10 0AU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Willow Tree Fen Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Willow Tree Fen Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Willow Tree Fen OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Willow Tree Fen Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Also near Spalding are the Holbeach Marsh and Moulton Marsh Nature Reserves. The latter is a man-made reserve with woodland, lagoons, creeks, saltmarsh and nice trails along the River Welland.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Lincolnshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Willow tree fen
Counter Drain and washes, Deeping St Nicholas parish, Lincs. view across the flat eastern side of the square from the Counter Drain Drove.
Railway bridge over the Counter Drain, Deeping St Nicholas, Lincs. part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway's Spalding to Bourne line, opened in 1866; passenger traffic ceased in 1959 and freight in 1965.
River Glen at Willow Tree Fen. Although a remote area, there are a number of features to describe here. The River Glen, running south to north, is channelled to provide drainage and flood protection. The flood banks are further apart than normal here though. Although mainly still arable farming, these are the first cows we have seen since leaving Boston on the Macmillan Way 24 miles earlier. The brick pillars in the middle distance are the remains of a bridge over the river carrying the Bourne to Spalding railway, closed in 1959. Beyond are two poles carrying owl nesting boxes, provided by the Hawk and Owl Trust. Most are inhabited by anything other than owls these days though.
Old Railway Bridge. The remains of an old railway bridge, show that the railway (built in the 1870's) came after the River Glen has been channelled to provide drainage and flood protection for the area. The railway has long gone though; it was the Bourne to Spalding line closed in 1959.
Counter Drain railway bridge