Walks from the door
Although only 5 miles from Cambridge city centre, we are situated in a spot where it is possible to walk from the door all day without seeing another soul! Of course in Cambridgeshire you don’t need to worry about hills either!
In each of our spaces there are laminated walking guides for you to take along or snap a photo of on your phone. Ranging from 2.5 to 5 miles, they take in neighbouring villages and sometimes a pub. Guests sometimes like to drop off the car and head off on their arrival day or after checking out but before heading home. I have had some feedback that the time estimates are a little optimistic; clearly I walk very fast while being dragged along by Ashley Dog!
A little further afield
Once you’ve done those, or if you want to incorporate a pub lunch, these three are all a 15minute drive away and highly recommended:
FEN DRAYTON LAKES
Parking address: RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes, Holywell Ferry Road, Cambridge, CB24 4RB.
Café/pub: The Three Tuns at nearby Fen Drayton is a thatched roofed Tudor restaurant/pub.
If you want to get a taste of those famous Fenland skies, Fen Drayton Lakes is a short drive from here. It is a collection of lakes, ponds, lagoons, stemming from the River Ouse. The RSPB Bird Sanctuary is located between Fen Drayton, Swavesey and Holywell. There are three trails to follow from 1-3 miles, you may need waterproof boots if it’s been wet.
HOUGHTON MILL AND THE HEMINGFORDS LOOP
Parking address: Houghton Mill, Mill St, Houghton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 2AZ
Length/Duration: 5 miles / 2.5 hours
Café/pub: River Terrace Cafe, The Cock (Hemingford Grey), The Axe and Compass (Hemingford Abbots) or Tom’s cakes (St Ives)
Starting in Houghton Mill (A National Trust property), this walk takes you across the water meadows, through the lovely market town of St Ives and back through the picturesque Hemingford villages.
St Ives and the Hemingfords Walk
GRANCHESTER TO CAMBRIDGE ALONG THE RIVER CAM
Café/pub: The Red Lion and The Rupert Brooke are both good in Granchester
Granchester is not far from Cambridge at all. You can do a short walk around the village, out to Byron’s Pool or along the River Cam, through the pretty Granchester Meadows and towards the famous Cambridge Backs.
The famous Orchard tearooms serves light lunches and cream teas, and there are a couple of good pubs and a gin distillery too!
RSPB FOWLMERE AND HOT NUMBERS ROASTERY
A recent discovery of mine – this one came about from wanting to visit the ‘Mothership’ of two of Cambridge’s best coffee shops and looking for a walk nearby! It was a delightful stroll and even incorporated a trip to Waitrose on the way home for some treats for supper.