19th Century1840 - Naturalists took an interest in the Fen, sketching and identifying plants and animals.1860 - The first list of plants to be found was published and people came to visit. At the time there was much interest in catching specimens of insects and displaying them. Naturalists came to Wicken to collect examples of birds and insects. They walked though the fen with large nets, collecting bottles and notebooks. 1899 - The first part of the Fen came to the National Trust. It was bought for £10 from J. C. Moberley. The rest of the Fen was given to the Trust in various bits.
