Official website for Fenland Tourism
The Ouse Washes Landscape in the heart of the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens has a unique character and is a fascinating place to visit whether you’re looking for fun-filled outdoor activities, rich and diverse history and culture or perfect tranquillity.
It’s an entirely distinctive landscape that also happens to be immensely beautiful. Huge open skies, expansive views, strongly linear landscape features and isolated settlements only add to the sense of mystery and tranquillity. Daniel Defoe once said “Here are the most beautiful meadows on the banks of the River Ouse that are to be seen in any part of England, and to see them in the summer season is one of the most agreeable sights in the world”.
The Ouse Washes Landscape stretches for over 48km between Denver near Downham Market and Fen Drayton Lakes near Cambridge. It has a very strong sense of place arising from its very specific and unique historic, international wildlife significance and rich cultural customs, folklore and arts. This makes it a fascinating place to visit no matter what you’re in to. You can check out our website at www.ousewashes.org.uk for events and ideas for things to do, as well as a What’s On Calendar and Interactive Map.
In the lead up to our exciting summer festival, OuseFest (18 to 31 July), we have also recently launched our 2016 Snap the Ouse Photography Competition. It’s open to any photographs that define the character and feel of the Ouse Washes and surrounding areas, and that depict what makes our area great. Whether your photographs include landscapes, wildlife, people, buildings or water, we’d love to see them.
A shortlisted 12 photographs will be posted on the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership’s website for public voting and will also be exhibited at various events throughout OuseFest. There will be three winners, one from each entrance category (age 12 or under; 13 – 18; 19 or over), who will each receive a fantastic basket of prizes worth £50.
To participate, please send your photographs taken in the Ouse Washes or surrounding area to sara.marshall@cambsacre.org.uk by Sunday 29 May 2016. You can also find more information about OuseFest and the Snap the Ouse Competition on our website.
The Ouse Washes Landscape provides limitless inspiration so why not pay us a visit. And don’t forget your camera!