Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, near Ely, has been shortlisted as the Best Active Venue in the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Awards.

The awards reward the efforts made by attractions across the country to ensure that visitors with disabilities enjoy an inclusive, inspiring and accessible experience.

Commenting on the shortlist achievement, Chris Soans, Wicken Fen Property Operations Manager said:

"We have worked hard to be as accessible as possible and are really excited that these efforts have been recognised. The Wicken team of staff and volunteers are determined to ensure that all visitors whatever their disability have a fantastic day out when visiting the fen. To be shortlisted for a Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the standards we strive to achieve."

Martin Dunford, founder of Rough Guides, said:

"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 visitors with disabilities."

The Awards, supported by Motability Operations and launched to coincide with the third edition of the award winning Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, recognise the best accessible, inclusive and inspirational visitor attractions across the UK.

Attractions shortlisted alongside Wicken Fen in the Best Active Venue category include the Manchester Velodrome, Cairngorm Sled Dog Centre, Cairngorm Funicular Railway and Ski Centre and the Pedalabikeaway Cycle Centre in Monmouth.

Wicken Fen's all weather raised boardwalk and hides designed for easy wheelchair access were commended for enabling disabled visitors the opportunity to explore the fen and its rich and diverse flora and fauna.

The winners will be announced at a reception hosted by outdoors adventurer and TV personality Ben Fogle at the Tate Modern in London on 22 March 2010.

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Note to Editors

1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Motability offers disabled people a worry-free motoring package including a brand new car every three years with insurance, servicing and maintenance, breakdown assistance from RAC, an allowance of 60,000 miles over a three year period and free tyre and glass replacement.

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