Wilder Kent Experiences: Beavers and Buffalo at Ham Fen

Ham Fen is an exceptionally special reserve, home to the UK’s first official beaver release project and Kent’s last remaining fenland. Over the last 20 years the resident beavers have transformed the reserve, with water levels now significantly higher. This has helped to restore areas of peat fen which are so valuable in locking up carbon and, combined with the beaver’s natural coppicing, has created a diverse mosaic of habitats.

Nobody is more familiar with Ham Fen and its residents than Area Warden John, and this is an exciting opportunity to meet him and visit this usually inaccessible reserve. You’ll learn all about the once native beaver and discover more about the ways in which their natural behaviours manage and enhance wetland environments, slowing water and creating pools, marshes and channels.

Whilst beavers are most active between dusk and dawn, and therefore very unlikely to be seen during this experience, John will show you evidence of their presence- including distinctive gnawed tree stumps, dams and lodges. He’s also the perfect person to notice any subtle signs of recent activity from these ‘water engineers’.

There will be three Beavers and Buffalo experiences at Ham Fen this summer. Check the Wilder Kent Experiences page for a full list of upcoming dates available to book now.

The walk will be mostly flat, but you won't be following footpaths. To reach the best areas to view beaver activity you will be walking in the fen on ground that is very soft, wet and muddy underfoot. Waterproof footwear is highly recommended for Ham Fen, ideally full length wellies, even if you are visiting during a period of dry weather. The beaver are very effective at keeping the fen wet!

Please note there are no toilet facilities at the reserve, and no refreshments are available to purchase on site. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks with you. A bottle of water is recommended.

Our reserves team are used to working outdoors in all weathers, so we aim to go ahead with these experiences wherever possible. On occasion the warden may decide conditions are extreme enough to cancel the planned date, either because they'll be unable to deliver the event to a high enough quality or because it is unsafe to go ahead. If this is the case you will be offered an alternative date or refund. Unfortunately, we cannot refund tickets if the event takes place but you choose not to attend.

Please give us 30 days notice wherever possible if you are no longer able to attend. The small group sizes on these experiences mean cancellations have a large impact on the viability of the event, and it can be difficult to fill places at short notice or after an event has initially reached capacity. Thank you.