About

Under the timeless gaze of Ely Cathedral, nature has regained control of an old industrial site to create a nurturing environment for wildlife. Terns claim possession of a lake, nightingales nest in the native trees that have seeded around the water’s edge, otters patrol new territory. Today the shaping hand of man is visible only in the medieval glory that is the cathedral, which towers above these restored acres.

Here are a group of one-time clay pits, worked for 150 years before being abandoned, exhausted, late in the 20th century. The pits filled with water from the Ouse, the wounds of industry healed, natural life returned. Today, on a stretch of reed bed nearby, bitterns and Chetti’s warblers are back. Trains rattle by, light industry continues, nature triumphs.

One of those old clay workings is Kit’s Lake, the embodiment of our spiritual relationship with nature, a living example of the restorative powers of the natural world. When it was offered for sale by the Environment Agency in 2020 the writer and musician Kit Hesketh Harvey saw its potential and introduced his friend Caroline Roboh, who bought it to safeguard its return to a natural state and to secure its future. Kit died in 2023 and Caroline named the lake after him, in memory of his love for the site and the work he had done to sustain it.

Building a bright future for Kit’s Lake

Today, Caroline has created a group of people who share her vision. They plan to manage the continued naturalisation of the site, creating the conditions for other rare species to return. They wish to work with all interested parties and are particularly conscious of the pioneering work of Ely Wildspace in campaigning for nature on this and other sites around Ely.

The first task is to achieve the balance between safeguarding the natural habitat and the open access that will allow enthusiasts to enjoy Kit’s Lake. Some areas are currently despoiled with litter, others are getting overgrown. There have been concerns about the impact of dogs on nesting birds. The management team will take advice on running the area most effectively.

Above all, they plan to make Kit’s Lake a celebration, a celebration of the natural world and rebirth, of the spiritual relationship between nature and humankind. They hope to create new educational opportunities, walks and concerts associated with the site. Local enthusiasts have created wonderful foundations: Caroline and the team are determined to continue that work.