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| INDEX TO PEOPLE LINKED TO FENS Charles Kingsley (Author) Dick Turpin (Highwayman) Duke of Bedford (Drainage) Matthew Flinders (Explorer) Mackenzie Thorpe (Poacher-cum-Gamekeeper) Peter Scott (Naturalist) |
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| The Fens border on the North Sea Coast between Yorkshire and Norfolk. Rumour as it that when the east winds blew from Siberia they cut into the smooth eastern shoreline of England, causing a yawning gap called The Wash. The Fenland is mainly centred on the sub-county of Holland, which borders Cambridgeshire and takes in the sea side resorts of Skegness, Maplethorpe and many other places. If you travel 100 miles north from Stamford you will still be in Lincolnshire, if you travel 100 miles south from Stamford, you would travel through Cambridgeshire and Herfordshire and finish up south of London. The County town of Lincolnshire is the City of Lincoln, and to the north of the Fens is a backbone of hills called The Wolds. To the south are the Cambridgeshire Fens which are mainly peat soil. To the north east is the town of Boston, (well known for it's link to the Pilgrim Fathers). The Fens spread into Cambridgeshire, and are mainly confined to an area that extends from Wisbech to Peterborough, and takes in The Isle of Ely. |
| Welcome to the Fens, come and join one of the half million visitors to the area each year, and enjoy the experience. |
| Where the sun arches overhead from horizon to horizon and takes all day to do it. No wonder it looks very weary just before it sets. |
| You cannot believe everything you read |
| .....or, write to us at 30 Scotgate, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2YQ .....or phone us at 01780 480989 |
| We try our best to be accurate, but if you know something we don't, please let us know. Image of proprietor |
| If you disagree with information on this site please tell us about it. Questionnaire We do not mind putting links on this site to anywhere, but draw the line at sites that promote third party advertising |
| The Fenland Moon |
| You are encourage to contact the web master if you have an alternative point of view, but it must be stated that we do not include links to sites who support third part advertising. |
| OTHER FENLAND LINKS: Wicken Fen (Cambridgeshire- Fenland Romany Museum Other Transport Systems |
| Click on the one of the yellow links below to learn more about the Lincolnshire Fens &Holland County |
| BACKGROUND TO THE FENLAND HISTORY. Because the fens do not follow county boundaries, it is difficult to establish where exactly they lie in relation to the East of England, other than to say they cover an area at the end if the Wash, and two thirds of them are in South Lincolnshire in an area called Holland, which should not be confused with the country on the western mainland of Europe, other than they are flat and below sea level. Maybe the answer is to explain a little more about this area. In the distant past, there was five boroughs in the east midlands called Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Stamford. The Shires were then formed, and Lincoln and Stamford were joined together and called Lincolnshire, and administered from Lincoln. Owing to this being such a large county to administer, it was divided into three areas, Lindsey, Kesteven and Holland. Although nowadays the county is regarded as rural and sparsely populated, in the days when the division took place, it was regarded as being the most densely populated part of England. In the Domesday Book Holland existed, albeit the Fens were undrained, so Holland was regarded as being an area south of Boston around Kirton. Since that time the Fens have been drained by Sir Anthony Thomas and others, and there has been struggle between Kesteven and Holland to own the Fens. Holland won, and the Lincolnshire Fens became part of Holland, and were then divided into three seperate sub-areas called Skirbeck, Kirton and Elloe. Kesteven is the area from Stamford Northwards. The name being the Old English term for 'Forest' or 'Wood', which suggests the area was once covered with woodland, and Lindsey is the area between Lincoln and the River Humber. After the fens had been largely drained, a road system was constructed these roads paid for themselves by tolls, they were generally called 'Turnpikes' A number of toll bridges were also built, these included a bridge at Fosdyke (across the Welland) and at Sutton Bridge (across the Nene) |
| FENLAND NIGHT SKY The vast sky at night gives the impression of travelling through space surrounded by a star field, where the darkness is so intense it can be felt. It is a strange feeling looking up at light that started it's journey before King John lost the Crown Jewels in the Wash, and when Jesus was still lying in a manger. |
| FENLAND MERES In addition to the rivers, which in the past overflowed causing various lakes in the low lying Fenland (called Meres, or marshy lakes). The largest one was Whittlesey Mere, this was accompanied by other smaller Meres in the same area, called Ug Mere, Brick Mere and Ramsey Mere. These in turn where accompanied by Meres near Benwick, Soham, Streatam, Salters Load and many smaller and less significant Meres. |
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| WORD OF WARNING When admiring the image below of the moon the brightness of the full moon may blot out your view of the milky way. * |
| FREE! The best light show in the Universe. Out in the Fens at night there is no glare from Urban Lights and the moon will look brighter and you will be able to see the milky way as it stretches across the sky. So, on a clear night just look up and take in the view |
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