About Quy Fen

Quy Fen lies between the Cambridgeshire villages of Horningsea and Stow-Cum-Quy and is open to public access. There are several footpaths, and a track from the layby just to the north of Horningsea. The fen has a number of water-filled pits which were excavated in the 19th century for coprolite, supposedly dinosaur dung, a valuable source of fertiliser at the time.

Today the fen is protected and hosts to a variety of wildlife. Quy Fen Trust is responsible for its upkeep of the fen. A site of special scientific interest (SSSI), the trustees are supported by Natural England.

A Pond Survey from 2017 is available here.

History

Quy Fen spans about 73 acres and is the remains of a much large area of common land between the villages of Horningsea, Stow-Cum-Quy and Fen Ditton. As was the custom since Saxon times where less arable land lay outside villages, it was shared by the villages and used for for cattle grazing, hay cutting, wood cutting and fen digging. The villages were small, the total population being only about 70 when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086.

A local historian, the late Peggy Watts, wrote a comprehensive history of Quy Fen which is now available as a publication. A copy costing £5.00 plus postage can be obtained by emailing us. All proceeds go directly to the work of the Quy Fen Trust.

Natural England citation gives a description and the reasons for citation as an SSSI.

Our 'History of Quy Fen' booklet also has a wealth of fascinating information.