Wicken Fen, one of the oldest nature reserves in the UK, celebrates 125 years on May 1.

To mark the anniversary, the National Trust has announced that the reserve is set for a £1.8m restoration project.

The project will restore 215 hectares (531 acres) of peat in the Fens - which is the National Trust's largest lowland peat restoration project.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said that the restoration is "vital", as it's anticipated that the majority of the peat in the Fens could be lost in 30 years time without action.

Wicken Fen is also one of the last remaining habitat spaces for Fenland wildlife that relies on peat soil, including the fen violet and silver barred moth.

The project will restore peat forming vegetation in three key areas in the reserve, by installing low-level clay banks to retain rainwater.

The money will also go towards managing water tables to create saturated, healthy peat that will lock in carbon and enhance habitats.

Recommended Reading: Wicken Fen Nature Reserve can show films plays and music

Over 125 years, Wicken Fen has grown from two acres into the equivalent of 1,148 football pitches.

It also has one of the last surviving fragments of undrained fen from the original East Anglian Fens.

The restoration has been made possible thanks to a Nature for Climate Peatland Restoration grant of over £1.3million from Natural England, and donations from Starling Bank, Anglian Water Flourishing Environment Fund, generous legacies and other fundraising.

To celebrate the National Trust’s 125th anniversary of caring for Wicken Fen, there will be a special programme of events, late night opening and new artist collaboration to look forward to in 2024, kicking off with a day of celebration on Saturday 4 May.

For more details, click here.

To coincide with the anniversary, National Trust Ranger, Ajay Tegala has a new book coming out about Wicken Fen called Wetland Diaries, released on 2 May.