Fen

A flat, low-lying landscape, often marshy, but which has been drained for agricultural use. The Fens is the name used in the area of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and West Norfolk, bordering The Wash. A broad range of habitats from open water to reed bed. When drained produces very productive silt soils. [A.P.]

Etymology

From the Norse or German words meaning bog, or mud, or clay. [A.P.]

Example locations

• Fens
  Ely, Cambridgeshire

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Entry contributors:

Alan Parkinson