Holme Fen
Nature reserve and lowest point in the UK
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Holme Fen is a 269.4-hectare (666-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Holme in Huntingdonshire.[1][2] It is also a National Nature Reserve[3] and a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I.[4] It is part of the Great Fen project, which aims to create a 3,700-hectare wetland wildlife area including Holme Fen, Woodwalton Fen and other areas.[5] It is home to a variety of birds, including the Eurasian siskin, nightingale and lesser redpoll, and around 450 species of fungi.[6]
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| |
 Location of Holme Fen. | |
| Location | Huntingdonshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TL 206 889[1] |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 269.4 hectares[1] |
| Notification | 1985[1] |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Holme Fen is described by Natural England as the finest example of birch woodland in lowland Britain. Part of it was a mere which was drained in the nineteenth century, and some relict wetland plants survive such as saw sedge and fen wood-rush.[7] Two new lakes have been excavated.[5]
Holme Fen, specifically Holme Posts, is believed to be the lowest land point in the United Kingdom at 2.75 metres (9.0 ft) below sea level.[6][8]
History
On 22 November 1940, a Supermarine Spitfire, flown by Pilot Officer Harold Penketh, crashed into Holme Fen.
In October 2015, archaeological work to recover the Second World War Spitfire was undertaken. Led by Oxford Archaeology East's project director Stephen Macauley, the teams located and recovered artefacts from the crash. A film of the excavation was shown at the Great Fen's Countryside Centre, Ramsey Heights on 27 September 2019.[9]
Access
The reserve is open to the public throughout the year. Several footpaths cross the site.
Management
Holme Fen is at the south-western edge of the former Whittlesey Mere, which has been drained. The Great Fen Project aims to reconnect Holme Fen with nearby Woodwalton Fen, another vestigial fragment of wild fenland. Holme approximately marks the south-western limit of Stage 2 of the Great Fen Project.
See also
- Ben Nevis – The highest point in the United Kingdom.
