Today’s walk is one of my Sunday morning favourites, not least because half way we get to have croque madames in Cafe Rouge! Although today was dry and bright it is a great walk to do if you want to get out but it has been wet - you are on pathways all the time. The route is well used by walkers, runners and cyclists both for leisure and commuting into and out of the Cambridge.
If you want a longer walk then you can start further up the river at Milton or even Fen Ditton (see my previous walk from Clayhithe)
For this specific route though we park in Water Street in Chesterton but anywhere in Chesterton is fine, just make your way to the Green Dragon pub and cross the road and go over the bridge.
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| River Cam from the Green Dragon Bridge |
Once over the river you are now on Stourbridge Common. Take the path to the right and follow it along the river. Really that’s all you need to know - river on your right on the way and on your left coming back but there are a few markers along the way:
Once you leave Stourbridge Common walk along Riverside and past the bridge and alongside the tall brick chimney of the Cambridge Museum of Technology. Follow Riverside on and under Elizabeth Way bridge.
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| Cambridge Museum of Technology |
You are now on Midsummer Common. Again follow the river through the common with the University boat houses on the other bank. There will not be many days that there are not rowers out but Sunday mornings it is almost guaranteed!
Carry on past the back of Midsummer House restaurant and the Fort St George pub and under Victoria Avenue bridge.
The other side of the bridge is now Jesus Green. Go on past the open air swimming pool to the lock. Keep going keeping the river on your right until you reach the wooden boardwalk of Quayside.
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| Jesus Green, Cambridge |
Walk along Quayside with Magdalene College on the other bank. In peak times the punt touts operate from this area, don’t be afraid to firmly say no if you don’t want a punt! Equally it is a lovely trip onwards through the colleges and along a part of the river you can’t normally see unless you belong to the university. Don’t be afraid to haggle on the price either!
Personally we normally go left at Magdalene Street and just along a few yards for brunch and those croque madames!
The return route is just back the way you came but this morning we did a slight detour turning right up Magdalene Street and over the river. Cross at the crossroads and walk up towards Castle Hill. Once at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Shire Hall take the gap in the wall on your right and through the car park to the Castle Mound. It’s just a short climb up the mound to take in the view across Cambridge.
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| Cambridge University Library from Castle Mound |
Return back down Castle Hill, across the crossroads but now turn left and walk along Chesterton Lane and then Chesterton Road until you reach a metal bridge on your right crossing the river over the weir. Turn left once on the other bank and return along the tow path with the river on your left until you reach the Green Dragon bridge. Cross here to return to your car.
Our route was: 4 miles
See the route on mapometer.com
Terrain: Flat (slight incline if you detour to Castle Hill, sharper incline if you climb the mound). Tarmac path all the way except for small section of wooden staging at Quayside. Cattle grids and pedestrian swing gates.
Habitats: River, common land, park, urban.Facilities: Public toilets on Midsummer Common (off route) or at the lock on Jesus Green and Quayside (on route).
Green Dragon pub at start, Fort St George on route, various cafes and restaurants along Quayside and Magdalene Street.
Note: Stourbridge and Midsummer Common often have cattle grazing although they are well used to passers-by.
