Fenland

Fenland District lies within the Fens National Character Area which is a distinctive, historic and human influenced wetland landscape.  The large-scale open landscape with huge panoramas and enormous skies gives a strong sense of place, tranquillity and inspiration.

Much of the land is below sea level and since the mid-17th century, has relied on pumped drainage and control of sluices at high and low tides to maintain its agricultural viability.  The resultant open fields, bounded by a network of drains, ditches, rivers or dykes, have a strong influence on the geometric/rectilinear landscape pattern and this is mirrored in the settlement pattern and road networks. 

Our most historic market towns and villages then are those which are on islands of higher ground which were raised above the historic wetland and each has a unique characteristic.  Whittlesey predominately 17th, 18th and 19th century development on an Anglo-Saxon irregular on an irregular grid street pattern of development, with some stone built and some thatched properties as well as the iconic mud walls; Chatteris has more of a traditional medieval settlement pattern with a linear centre, street fronting properties and long burgage plots, yards or orchards to the rear; Wisbech is famed for its Georgian architecture and planned Crescent development, built on its wealth as an inland port; March is different again, with its 20th century expansion arising from its role as a major railway employer and junction of national importance.

Elsewhere, villages tend to be dispersed ribbon settlements along the main arterial routes through the settled fens, and scattered farms remain as tangible links to earlier agricultural settlements.  Domestic architecture predominately dates from circa 1750, through to the early 20th century, typically of local brick and tile, with some earlier stone buildings, some thatch and slate (arriving with the railways) and some key examples of exceptional architectural quality and character.