How a prehistoric swamp became the engine of modern Cambridgeshire’s economic growth

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Cambridgeshire is far more than its famous university town. Once a vast, prehistoric marshland known as the Fens, this region has been transformed through centuries of drainage and engineering. Today, it operates as a sophisticated, devolved authority, balancing high-tech industry with the preservation of its unique, low-lying landscape.

The geography of Cambridgeshire is defined by its dramatic transition from sea to land. In prehistoric times, the area known as the Fens was an inlet of the North Sea, alternately inundated and exposed. Over time, this basin filled with peat, silt, and sea clay, eventually becoming a swampy expanse. The drainage of these marshes, which began under the Romans and was largely completed by the middle of the 17th century, fundamentally altered the county’s surface, turning previously unusable land into fertile ground for agriculture.

This landscape is marked by low ridges that once served as islands, such as the Isle of Ely, which provided a refuge for those opposing William I the Conqueror. Today, these features break the flatness of the Fens, where the elevation drops to 2.75 metres below sea level at Holme Fen, the lowest physical point in the United Kingdom. In contrast, the southern edge of the county rises into a hilly rim, which now serves as a residential commuter belt for both Cambridge and London, located 40 to 50 miles to the south.

Modern governance in the region reflects a desire to move away from centralized control. In 2017, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was established to devolve decision-making from Westminster. Comprising seven councils, the authority manages transport, infrastructure, and adult education, while receiving £20 million annually from the government to stimulate economic growth. This model allows the region to integrate its diverse sectors—from the scientific instruments and electronics industries in Cambridge to the manufacturing hub of Peterborough—while tackling modern challenges like climate change and regional inequality.

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