Chesterton - Clayhithe Loop, Cambridge (9 miles)

I have written about some of this route before but we were looking to walk a bit further so decided to walk the towpath from Chesterton to Clayhithe bridge and then come back via Horningsea and Fen Ditton following some of the Fen Rivers Way.  This trail in its entirety runs 50 miles between Cambridge and Kings Lynn in Norfolk.

Knowing this part of Cambridge very well we set off early to try and avoid the towpath at its busiest.  During the week this is a popular commute into town for cyclists and at weekends runners, walkers and the rowing coaches on their bikes use it.  At peak times you can spend more time checking behind you or moving to one side than you do walking!  We got there on a February Sunday morning about 8.15 and there were rowers already on the water.

For this walk we drove and parked up on Water Street in Chesterton, near the Green Dragon pub.

Route:

Follow Water Street NW until you come to the river and the towpath.

Continue along the towpath passing under the railway bridge.

Looking back towards the rail bridge

Follow the river as it bears left.  You will pass Fen Ditton on the other bank.

Continue on walking beneath the A14 road bridge.  Note here the name painted on the side of the bridge – it has become a bit of a ‘tradition’ for the name of the college who are Head of the River at The Bumps (local rowing races) to be painted on the ‘Motorway’ bridge.

The so-called 'Motorway' bridge

After this bridge you will come to Baits Bite Lock.  This is about ¼ of the way and if you want to cut the walk in half you can cross to the other bank here.

Looking towards Baits Bite Lock

This point onwards is a much quieter section of the river and we stopped along here on an old bench for a quick snack and drink. 

Continue on until you reach Clayhithe bridge.  Take the path up to the road.  There is a pub on the other side if you wish to stop for refreshments.  If continuing on toward Ely, the Fen River Way on this bank takes a slight detour inland to the left or you can cross to the other bank.  We crossed the bridge on the same side of the road. 

View back down the river from the Clayhithe bridge

The official Fen Rivers Way South also detours inland here, you need to cross the road and walk behind the farm.  As it was a Sunday and not busy we decided to walk towards Horningsea along the road.  There is a path on the left for a few yards but then it is advisable to cross the road walking to face the traffic and stepping up onto the verge if a car approaches.  As the road bears left you can cross again at a large farmhouse and walk on the footpath that cuts the corner. 

After the farm cross the road again and walk until you come to a gap in the hedge and a signpost on your right (Fen Rivers Way).  Go through the gate and cross the meadow on a left diagonal and go through another gate. 

The track now crosses a cultivated field marked with sticks.  It was very muddy when we went! 

Once across the field go over a small bridge and into a meadow and then a field.   Cross this and go through the gate way and out onto the road.

Walking the Fen Rivers Way towards Horningsea

There were horses grazing here but they weren't concerned with us.

Go right along the footpath and into Horningsea village.  There are a few pubs along the street but we were too early for these to be open so we carried on until we reached Scotsdales, a garden centre where we stopped for brunch and to use the toilet.

Continue on the path opposite the garden centre until just out of the village.  There will be a footpath sign on your right. 

The Fen Rivers Way

Follow this path straight down the edge of the field, crossing a small bridge and continue along the track until you come to a house.  Take the pathway signposted on your left and follow this behind the houses and through a small woodland area.

Once through the woodland go through the gateway and you should be back on the river bank with the A14 bridge in front of you.  

The 'Motorway' bridge from the other bank

Follow the river bank until you go through a gate to Fen Ditton village.  Take the track to your left and then a pathway signposted on your right. 

Follow the track alongside another field and then onto the recreation ground.  The map shows the trail following a diagonal path across the rec to the left of the pavilion but there was a football match going on so we skirted around the right of the pitch and then down the side of the pavilion coming out on a roadway.  The goal keeper had just been sent off and there were deep and heated discussions about who should replace him!

Follow the road to the end and bear left.   Follow this road until you come to the church on your right.  Take a right immediately after the church and continue on down the track, bearing left and through a gate to the meadows.

Fen Ditton church

Make your way down the meadow to the river bearing left.  Follow the river to the left, crossing a small bridge and then going under the railway bridge onto Stourbridge Common.  Follow the pathway until you come to a footbridge over the River on your right.

Stourbridge Common 

Cross the bridge and with the Green Dragon pub in front of you make your way back to where you have parked.

Our route was: 9 miles
See the route on mapometer
Terrain: Easy to moderate (due to mud), gravel towpath, farmland, grass meadows (can be wet), some tarmac.
Habitat: River, village, fields, meadows
Facilities: No public toilets on route. Green Dragon pub at start and end. Pub at Clayhithe. Pubs and garden centre in Horningsea. Pubs in Fen Ditton.