Spend a morning with our reserve warden to discover how beaver activity has been restoring Kent's last remaining Fen
Ham Fen nature reserve is home to the UK’s first official beaver release project and is Kent’s last remaining fenland. Our resident beavers have significantly increased the water levels at this reserve over the last 20 years. This has restored areas of peat fen, locking up carbon so helping to slow climate change. The beaver’s natural coppicing has also helped create new habitats that have benefitted other species.
This is a rare opportunity to visit Ham Fen, a nature reserve that is usually closed to the public, to learn about this unique habitat and to observe evidence of beaver activity.
The morning will consist of a walk around the reserve with Area Warden, John. You will learn all about the once native beaver and discover more about the ways in which their natural behaviours manage and enhance wetland environments.
Beavers are most active between dusk and dawn and therefore very unlikely to be seen during this experience. However, John will be able to show you evidence of beaver activity such as distinctive gnawed tree stumps, dams and lodges. He will also point out any subtle signs of recent activity from these ‘water engineers’.
This experience will be running six times at Ham Fen in the summer. Check the Experiences page for a full list of upcoming dates available to book.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
-
No facilities
MORE INFORMATION
Appropriate clothing and footwear. To reach the best areas to view beaver activity you will be walking in the fen on ground that is very soft, wet and muddy underfoot. Waterproof footwear is highly recommended for Ham Fen, ideally full length wellies, even if you are visiting during a period of dry weather.
The walk will include uneven paths, narrow bridges and possibly boggy ground.