Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Located in the heart of eastern England between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, the Ouse Washes Special Protection Area (SPA) is a 2,330-hectare wetland habitat encompassing a series of flooded washlands created for floodwater management. Formed by the River Great Ouse and its associated drainage channels, this area acts both as a flood storage basin and as a sanctuary for diverse bird species, particularly during winter and migration seasons. The extensive seasonally flooded grasslands are internationally recognized, designated under the Ramsar Convention and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) alongside its SPA status. The area provides crucial habitat for wintering populations of Bewick’s swans, golden plovers, Eurasian wigeon, and other wildfowl, as well as breeding grounds for lapwing and redshank. Wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists frequent Ouse Washes to observe these birds with binoculars and scopes from strategically located hides along the embankments and viewing areas. The landscape features a mix of open water, grassland, and reedbeds with flat topography, ideal for walking and cycling trails along the wash banks. Historically, the washes were engineered in the 17th century to reduce flooding in surrounding farmland, a balance of agricultural use and conservation management is maintained today. The area’s appeal lies in its combination of natural flooding regime, rich biodiversity, and tranquil rural surroundings. Access points and updated visitor information are facilitated by nearby community-run centers, making Ouse Washes a prime destination for low-impact birdwatching and environmental study throughout much of the year.
