Coe Fen facts for kids
Coe Fen is a beautiful, natural area in the city of Cambridge, England. It's a large, open space with meadows and grass, located right next to the River Cam. Even though it's close to the city center, it feels like you're in the countryside!
Coe Fen is near some famous places in Cambridge, like Peterhouse (one of the University of Cambridge colleges), the Fitzwilliam Museum, and The Leys School. A road called the Fen Causeway crosses the River Cam right through the fen. There are also footbridges, like Crusoe Bridge, which make it easy to walk around.
You'll often see cows peacefully grazing on the grass here. It's a super popular spot for walking, cycling, and just enjoying nature. In the summer, lots of people go punting on the river, which is like riding in a flat-bottomed boat. Right across the river from Coe Fen is another green space called Sheep's Green. Together, Coe Fen and Sheep's Green are protected as a Local Nature Reserve.
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What is a Fen and Why is it Called Coe Fen?
A "fen" is a type of wetland or marshy area. Coe Fen and Sheep's Green were once very important for the city of Cambridge. In the past, the land between the river banks would often flood. This made it perfect for animals to graze, but not for building. That's why you see cows on Coe Fen and, historically, sheep on Sheep's Green – which is how they got their names!
By the 1800s, Coe Fen had become quite boggy. Parts of it were drained to help prevent diseases. Today, it's a lovely semi-natural area that people can enjoy.
Hodson's Folly: A Secret Watchtower
Have you ever heard of a "folly"? It's a building that doesn't have a practical purpose, but is built for decoration or fun. Hodson's Folly is a small stone building that looks like a tiny classical temple. You can find it near the bridge that connects Sheep's Green and Coe Fen.
This interesting little building was put up in 1887 by a man named John Hodson. He later became a butler at Pembroke College. The story goes that he built it so he could watch his daughter when she went swimming in the river!
The Cambridge City Council has owned Hodson's Folly since 1936. In 2014, it was damaged, and people started a petition to have it fixed. In 2013, a group called Cambridge Past Present and Future began working with local people to restore Hodson's Folly, its boathouse, and a "secret garden" nearby.
Laundress Green: Where Laundry Used to Dry
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At the northern end of Coe Fen, you'll find a grassy area called Laundress Green. It connects to Mill Lane across a small waterfall (called a weir). This spot got its name because, a long time ago, people would spread out their laundry here to dry and bleach in the sun!
Today, Laundress Green is a very popular place for picnics, especially in the summer. It's close to two well-known pubs, The Anchor and The Mill, making it a lively spot for people to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Coe Fen in Music
The name Coe Fen is also used for a hymn tune. A hymn tune is the melody for a religious song. This particular tune was created by a composer named Ken Naylor. It's used for the hymn called How shall I sing that majesty?.
