Coton Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire (4 miles)

Coton Nature Reserve is fairly new, about 10 years old in fact, and covers over 300 acres of farmland including arguable one of the best views of Cambridge – something of an achievement in this flat part of the country!

The reserve has lots of walking possibilities and the reserve map plots a few routes.  We wanted something a bit longer so combined a few of them taking in most of the reserve.  There are also possibilities for longer walks continuing outside the reserve on footpaths.

We parked up in the Martin Car Park, just off junction 12 of the M11.

Coton Nature Reserve

Route:

Take the gateway round the pond on the right to a concrete track and head away from the entrance road.

When you come to a gap in the hedge on the right follow this track round the field (following the orange walk on the reserve map), along the motorway edge and when you come to a small bridge on your left go over.

Carry on straight ahead until you come to a gateway and go out crossing the road.  Go into the next field, turning left and along the track that takes you up a slope.

Rifle Range

As you go up you should see a rifle range in front of you.  (There is a footpath that goes to Barton that crosses the range but if the red flag is flying you must not cross.)  Turn right at the signpost hut and continue up Red Meadow Hill.

At the top turn right and walk along until you come to some steps, take the steps and go through the gate to the top of the hill.  Here you can see across to Cambridge picking out Kings College Chapel, the University Library tower and St John’s Chapel along with the chimney of the Museum of Technology.  It is said that on a very clear day you can see Ely Cathedral.

Views towards Cambridge from Red Meadow Hill

At the top of the hill go left through the gate and turn right and walk back down along the side of the field.  At the bottom bear left and cross the bridge and turn left onto the permissive footpath of Rectory Farm. 

View towards Coton coming down Red Meadow Hill

Follow the track and turn right at the end, walking along the edge of a small woodland area.  At the end of this track turn right again at the signpost and walk along the field going straight on at the end and then right into a woodland.  Follow the narrow path through the trees until you come out back onto the field and turn left. (You can miss out the wood here and continue alongside the field)

Follow the track to the end and then right until you reach a gate on your left. Go through the gate into Manor Field crossing straight ahead. Go past the water recycling centre and out of the gate at the end.

Continue on until you reach the road, crossing here carefully. Go into the next field and walk straight on until you come to Clarke’s Bridge. Cross the bridge and go through the gates.  Walk a few steps and take the gateway on your left.

You are now following the pink walk on the reserve map.  Walk ahead and take the gate on your right into Rowan’s Field.  You can either go straight ahead here towards the cream house or go left around the young woodland.  Either way go past the house and right along side the field.  The recreation ground will be on your left through the hedge.

At the end of the hedge turn right and walk down the concrete track.  Go through the gateway at the end and bear right through the gap in the trees and then left. 

Follow the path bearing left until you meet the concrete track again.

Turn right and walk back towards the car park.

Our route was 4 miles

See the route on mapometer

Terrain – Mostly easy going on grass tracks. Slope and steps up to Red Meadow Hill. Gates and bridges. Some muddy areas. Could be animals grazing.

Habitat – Small pond, farmland, stream. Meadows.

Facilities – Car park, no toilets or refreshments. ThePlough at Coton.

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.

Fen Drayton Lakes (Elney Lake route) (3.6 miles)

This is part of a RSPB reserve and we have been here before but took a different route.  It also links up to the Swavesey Lakes walk.  This time we arrived early on a spring misty morning.  Actually once there is was more like fog and for most of the walk we couldn’t see much at all but keep your eyes peeled as it is full of wildlife.

  

Swan on Drayton Lagoon

It is about a 2 mile drive down to the reserve car park from the road but it is open 24-7 and parking is free.  The lakes are popular with bird watchers, dog walkers and fishermen.

Once at the car park go through the gate at the end and take a left, walk along the meadow, past a small lake on your left and through the gate in front of you.  This brings you out the large Drayton Lagoon in front and a sign post.  For this walk we went left on the walk that circles Elney Lake but there are lots of variations and maps are available to download on the website.

Follow the track alongside Drayton Lagoon on your right and a small waterway on your left until you reach the guided bus-way.  Cross the bus-way (buses have right of way and can travel fast so cross carefully) and carry straight on.  Elney Lake is now on your right and the first viewing area.  Keep ahead until you come to a public footpath on the right.  Go through the gate and follow this long straight track past some more viewing areas.  The track takes a left turn then a right around the top of the lake.  Half way down here you now have Moore Lake on your left and Elney on the right although you do loose sight of Elney for a bit.  There is a viewing shelter on your left giving great views over Moore Lake so do pause here before carrying on until you reach the guided bus-way again. 

Cormorant on Moore Lake

You can take a right here along the track but we carried on over and with Drayton Lagoon now on our right we kept going until we reached the River Great Ouse and turned right.  Follow this lovely river along, over a small bridge (again you have the option here of going right along a small waterway back to the car if wanted).   Carry on along the river until you see the Ferry Boat Inn on the other bank.  The track bears right here.  Continue straight on until you are back at the car park.

Fen Drayton Lakes Reserve

Our route was 3.6 miles

See the route on mapometer.com

Terrain: Flat, mostly grass tracks, latch gates.  Note: this area can be muddy and flood in very wet weather. 

Habitats: River, lakes, grassland

Facilities: No toilets or refreshments.  Nearest at Cambridge Services on A14.

Chesterton to Quayside River Walk, Cambridge (4 miles)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Quy Fen, Lode, Cambridgeshire (4.8 miles)

This walk starts at Lode in Cambridgeshire.  Parking in the National Trust Anglesey Abbey car park is recommended and free.  There are refreshments and toilets available just inside the Visitor centre (if you are not NT members you don’t have to pay to just go this far in) but check opening times.

The route is part of The Quy Fen walks and we followed the map available as part of the leaflet available to download.  However, we did go wrong and missed out a section that would have taken us to Quy and back in along Quy Water.  I have given both routes below - the one we should have taken and the one we actually walked.  There are lots of alternative pathways around and across the Quy Fen so you could walk much less and a little more than us.  We will take the OS map next time though!

Park at the far end of the main car park and head to a yellow marker post in the corner where the main car park meets the grass overflow car park.  Follow the path that runs the length of the overflow car park.  Take a left, then right behind the tennis court and past the allotments and houses.  Go over the water and just past the mill on your left but take the marked pathway on your right and keep straight ahead.  

Mill Lane, Lode

Follow the track along the field and into a small wood.  Turn right and then once out of the wood turn left.  Follow this bridleway and then take the turning on the right.  Keep going to the bottom of the bridleway and continue on as it becomes a meadow.  Take a diagonal across the meadow, you will pass a pond on your right.  Go over the small bridge at the end and enter Quy Fen.

Quy Fen, Lode

Follow the grass track diagonally left across the meadow and through the gate.  Take the small path ahead of you and come out with a larger rectangle pond on your left.

You have two alternatives here.  A. take the track alongside the long length of the pond, underneath the pylons take a track on your left then eventually left again back under the pylons or B. go straight on at the pond through a copse until you come out in a large meadow.  Take a diagonal grass track across the meadow to a gate in the top left hand corner (it is round a bend in the field so you can’t see it as you enter).  Eventually both these options should bring you out at a bridleway signposted to Quy which will take you past Allicy Farm.  Once past the farm carry on to the left.  

This is where we went wrong.  When you reach a fork - we took a left track back towards Lode and through Quy Fen the way we came when we should have gone right to Quy which would have added about a mile to the walk.  The instructions below are for the Quy option.

Going right at the fork the bridleway will make a right turn, follow this towards Station Road, veering off to the left just before to cut out the roadway.  Make a sharp left hand turn at Quy Water and walk back towards Lode along the waterway.  Follow the water all the way back to Quy Mill, going around the back and turning left back alongside the allotments, across in front of the tennis court and back through Anglesey Abbey car park.

Quy Mill, Lode

Our route was: 4.77 miles
See the route on mapometer.com
The Quy route was: 5.66 miles
See the route on mapometer.com
Terrain: Flat, grass tracks, bridleways - could be muddy in wet weather
Habitat: Waterways, meadows, woodland, farmland, ponds - livestock may be grazing.  Dogs allowed but must be kept under control.
Facilities: Toilets and refreshments at Anglesey Abbey during opening times.

The River Cam from Clayhithe, Cambridgeshire (3.5 miles)

Today I just needed a stroll for some fresh air.  N had been out this morning playing golf and he wasn’t really up for a long walk too far away.  We decided to go along the river starting at Clayhithe which is between Horningsea and Waterbeach.  Although it can get busy at times with joggers and cyclists also sharing the towpath, it is a lovely stretch of the river.  We have seen herons, swans, moorhens and cormorants, dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies.  

The River Cam at Clayhithe

There are parking spaces for a few cars by the entrance to the towpath (opposite The Bridge pub); in the pub (check first and only polite to purchase a drink and/or meal first) or at weekends there will probably be space in the station car park (fee payable).  

This walk is a little different to the others I have written about in that the mileage you do is really up to you.  Once you get on to the towpath, just follow it as far as you want.  If you stay with the river you can't really go wrong.  The length of The Cam from Clayhithe to Quayside in the centre of Cambridge is about 6 miles so, remembering you have to walk back to the car, you can walk anything from 1 mile to 12.  

The River Cam, Horningsea

Today we walked just under 3.5 miles round trip.  This took us almost to Bait’s Bite Lock (1.9 miles).  You can carry on past the lock and under the A14 to the Green Dragon Bridge in Chesterton (4 miles).  If you want to keep going then cross the bridge and follow the path along Stourbridge Common, past Riverside, under the Elizabeth Way bridge, along Midsummer Common, Jesus Green and onto Quayside (6 miles).  As the first refreshment stop after The Bridge at the start is not until The Green Dragon pub (4 miles) I recommend taking supplies if you are doing anything further than Bait's Bite Lock.  (Also see this route from The Green Dragon pub into Quayside and back)

Quayside, Cambridge

Our route was: 3.47 miles (this time!)
See the route on mapometer.com
Terrain: Flat, gravel towpath and tarmac
Habitat: River, Urban, Meadow, Park
Facilities: The Bridge pub, Clayhithe; The Green Dragon pub; various restaurants, bars etc on Quayside.

Newnham to Cambridge City Loop (2.2 miles)

This walk starts at Lammas Land Car Park, which is accessed from Newnham Road traffic lights junction, and heads into Cambridge, along the backs of the colleges, through to King's Parade and the mill pond before heading back along The River Cam.  It is a great mix of rural and urban and we think it is best early on a Sunday morning.  The car park can get full very quickly on a nice day!

It is worth a quick detour into the Paradise Nature Reserve before you leave Newnham.  This is one of my favourite parts of the river, a peaceful section through a small wood.  Also if you are a visitor to Cambridge there are lots places you can wander off route to visit the colleges, shops, markets and galleries.

Swan in Paradise NR, Newnham

1. From the car park take a small gateway into the reserve and follow the track in a loop through the wood and along by the river before coming out again in the car park.
2. Carry on towards the play area and pool but take a right across a small bridge.  Follow the path immediately to your left through Sheep’s Green alongside a small waterway.  Carry on until you reach the road (Fen Causeway).  
3. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and carry on along the pathway until you reach a pond.  Walk past the restaurants and turn right.  Go past The Granta pub and cross straight over the crossroads at the lights.  
4. Follow the path along Queen’s Road until you reach the entrance to King's College.  Take the sandy track that runs along 'The Backs' (King’s College Chapel should be on your right).  
5. You can then go through either Clare College, if it is open, this is chargeable during the summer but often not during the winter months, and then bear left into Trinity Lane then right down St Mary’s Passage.  Or go up to the next entrance (Garrett Hostel Lane) which is a right of way.  This will also bring you out on Trinity Lane but this time turn right and then left into St Mary’s Passage.
6. Once out of St Mary’s Passage turn right onto King’s Parade.  Follow this road past The Senate House and King’s College on your right and Gt. St. Mary’s church on your left.  There are lots of cafes, restaurant’s and pubs on this route, especially the Cambridge end but, if we have walked in the morning, we often stop off at The Copper Kettle opposite King’s for a sausage sandwich before making our way back!
7. At the end of King’s Parade swing right into Silver Street and follow the road before cutting through Laundress Lane, behind The Anchor pub.  At the end of the lane go right down to the mill pond.  
8. Cross the river and then follow the river to the left past the punts and weir.  The Double Tree Hotel should be on your left on the opposite bank.  Walk alongside the river all the way back to the roadway (Fen Causeway), cross the road and continue to walk with the river back towards Lammas Land.  Take the small bridge on your right back to the car park.

King's College Chapel

Our route was: 2.18 miles
See the route on mapometer.com
Terrain: Flat, mostly tarmac paths apart from the nature reserve.
Habitat: Woodland, river, meadow, urban
Facilities: Lammas Land end has toilets and a kiosk (summer only).  Cambridge end has numerous cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops.