Thorney ‘island’

‘an iconic fen island – monks, marshes and a model village’

Thorney, the ‘Isle of Thorns’, was a fen island surrounded by marshes until the drainage projects of the 17th century. It has been known since the 7th century for its major Benedictine Abbey; the large Abbey church remains impressive, even though much of it was lost in the 16th century. The Victorian village is of the characteristic local brick and is famous for being a ‘model village’, built in the 19th century under the Duke of Bedford’s ownership.Not far from the City of Peterborough, this easy walk takes you through an historic fenland village and quiet countryside with plenty of wildlife, giving a taste of the iconic landscape of the Fens.This walk is a good introduction to the geology of the northern part of the Cambridgeshire Fens, including silt from extensive tidal marshes and ancient river beds (roddons), the River Terrace Gravels of the Nene and the complex ’March’ Gravels. The latter created the island itself, raising it above the low fenland; these gravels also form the islands of Whittlesey, March and Chatteris.

The Fen Edge Trail walk around Thorney has been designed in partnership with Thorney Museum and the Thorney Society. Thanks to Dot from Thorney Museum for her work on this walk.