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Whittlesea Mere – one of the wonders of Huntingdonshire!

The historic county of Huntingdonshire has much to recommend it, and

one of its lost treasures is brought back to life in this welcome updated

and substantially expanded edition of a study first published in 1987.

The Mere was the largest body of inland water in lowland England before

its drainage in the 1850s, an action which brought to an end a long, rich

and thriving history of fishing, reed-cutting and boating, control of which

excited the interest of kings, and was fought over by medieval abbots and

monks, 17th century drainers, local communities and rival landowners.

Once drained, the Mere continued to influence farming practice, hindered

the smooth running of the main railway line to the north and bequeathed

to the nation in its surroundings two important nature reserves at Holme

Fen and Woodwalton Fen.

Now, in the 21st century, recognition of the area’s unique ecological and

educational potential has seen the creation of a major environmental

restoration project, the Great Fen Project.

Paperback ISBN: 9781784566074