The team at the National Trust's Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Ely, are celebrating after being highly commended in the first ever Rough Guides Accessible Britain Awards

The awards reward efforts made by attractions across the UK to ensure that visitors with disabilities enjoy an inclusive, inspiring and accessible experience. Wicken Fen was nominated in the Best Active Venue Category.

In making the Highly Commended shortlist, Wicken Fen is one of a handful of tourist attractions in the UK that has gone above and beyond to provide accessible, inspirational and inclusive days out.

The judges recognised that Wicken Fen, has achieved a near impossible task- making the Fens wheelchair accessible. The walks, hides and amenities are all fully accessible, which allows people to get face to face with nature at its most wild. Judges commented that being able to engage with nature is a pleasure that is denied to many -thankfully Wicken Fen is there to enable disabled people of all abilities to get out and enjoy their surroundings. 'Phenomenal work'.

Launched to coincide with publication of the third edition of The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, the awards were presented by adventurer and TV personality Ben Fogle at a reception in London's Tate Modern.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ben Fogle, said:

"I have been lucky enough to travel and have some amazing adventures over the years, but I have realised the most beautiful scenery and the most important history is here on our doorstep within hundreds of great UK attraction. Everyone, regardless of any disability or accessibility requirements, should be able to experience these great places of interest.

The Accessible Britain Awards mark the achievements of attractions, however large or small, across the UK that have demonstrated considerable effort and creativity in providing inclusive experiences for disabled visitors. Both the Awards and I hope to inspire more people to get about and discover more of the UK's best sites."

Commenting after the awards ceremony, Chris Soans, Wicken Fen Property Operations Manager said:

"We have worked hard to ensure that the reserve, and all activities that we run are accessible for all visitors whatever their disability. To be highly commended in Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Awards is a fantastic acknowledgement of the standards we strive to achieve. The Wicken Fen team of staff and volunteers are determined to ensure that all visitors have a fantastic and rewarding experience when visiting Wicken Fen".

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Note to Editors

1. Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Visitor Centre, Café and Shop are open daily throughout the year from 10am -5pm.

2. Wicken Fen was purchased by the National Trust in 1899, the first Nature Reserve owned by the Trust. It is widely regarded as the most species rich nature reserve in the country with over 8200 recorded species. www.wicken.org.uk 

3. The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation organisation and looks after special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for ever, for everyone. People and places are at the heart of everything it does. 3.78 million members, 56,000 volunteers, 500,000 school children, and millions of visitors, donors and supporters help the Trust look after its 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

4. Rough Guides is a leading travel content provider with more than 700 travel guides, gift-books, maps, phrasebooks, bespoke custom publishing guides and digital products, including eBooks and mobile applications. Rough Guides also produces books on a range of subjects, from the bestselling Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth to zeitgeist books such as the Rough Guide to iPods, iTunes, and Music Online. www.roughguides.com 

5. For information on The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain see www.accessibleguide.co.uk