The Fens are unique with a history and character all of their own. This area of England fans out from the Wash across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk UK. Once an inhospitable swampy wilderness, the Fens has been tamed to leave us today with a network of intricate waterways, which are renown as some of Britain's most atmospheric and tranquil.
The area was originally the largest swampland in England, formed by the silting up of a bay of the North Sea. The higher places were sites of Roman stations. The Romans attempted drainage and built a few roads across the Fens; however, the area had become marshy by Anglo-Saxon times, either from natural causes or from allowing Roman work to decay. The first effective drainage systems were developed in the 17th cent. by Cornelius Vermuyden, a Dutch engineer. Drainage and construction of dikes and channels in the various sections or “levels” continued through the 19th cent., but problems of land sinkage, water accumulation, and periodic flooding existed throughout the period. As a result of flooding in the 20th cent., a drainage-improvement project (completed in the mid-1960s) was undertaken. The district is largely under intensive cultivation. Agriculture is plentiful on the fertile soils, with vegetables, fruit, and wheat being the principal crops. Wildlife sanctuaries have been preserved. The district is also called Fenland.
One of the biggest draws for the Fens is the food. The Fens has a strong agricultural heritage and as the land is so fertile, it’s a great area for sourcing fresh, local produce. Much of the country’s finest potatoes come from the Fens as well as a huge range of vegetables. Many of the traditional windmills are still used to produce a wide variety of flour, much of it organic and local bakers offer fabulous home-made breads, cakes and pastries. The farmers and butchers supply some of Britain’s finest meat and have a number of local specialities. Look for the ‘Tastes of Lincolnshire’ sign which identifies the restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, tea-rooms and pubs throughout Lincolnshire who use locally grown produce on their menus.
Many major retail supermarkets are supplied with canned, frozen and pre-packed food from this region.
Wisbech is deemed to be the capital of the Fens and the town itself sits on both sides of the river Nene, which forms the border between the counties of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Nine miles north on the western bank of the river Nene is the border between the counties of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.
The Fens are unique with a history and character all of their own. This area of England fans out from the Wash across 
The area was originally the largest swampland in England, formed by the silting up of a bay of the North Sea. The higher places were sites of Roman stations. The Romans attempted drainage and built a few roads across the Fens; however, the area had become marshy by Anglo-Saxon times, either from natural causes or from allowing Roman work to decay. The first effective drainage systems were developed in the 17th cent. by Cornelius Vermuyden, a Dutch engineer. Drainage and construction of dikes and channels in the various sections or “levels” continued through the 19th cent., but problems of land sinkage, water accumulation, and periodic flooding existed throughout the period. As a result of flooding in the 20th cent., a drainage-improvement project (completed in the mid-1960s) was undertaken. The district is largely under intensive cultivation. Agriculture is plentiful on the fertile soils, with vegetables, fruit, and wheat being the principal crops. Wildlife sanctuaries have been preserved. The district is also called Fenland.
