Whaddon to Cambridge via The Wimpole Way
Cambridgeshire
Distance 28km Climb 150m
Saturday 21 November 2020
I am currently working away from home and this could be part of my local walking area.
When I was looking into local walks, The Wimpole Way was one of a few that was suggested, so I thought I would take a look as I had lived in Cambridge over 40 years ago. I had a little way to walk to get to the start of The Wimpole Way.
Leaving Whaddon I took the footpath heading north west, signposted towards Ermine Street.
There was a cold wind blowing from the west, the open flat countryside was very exposed to the weather. A little way along the footpath I saw a sign showing me that I was walking on the Harcamlow Way. In places the muddy path was very slippery.
Passing through a barrier The Harcamlow Way turns almost straight north. It was like walking along a very wide avenue, trees on either side.
After a few hundred meters the Way turns by a small lake. I could not see the lake as it was full of bull rushes. A few more steps further north and I was crossing a bridge with large impressive gates. The bridge took me over the River Cam or Rhee.
On the crest of the bridge I could see Wimpole Hall in the distance. Continuing along the right hand side of the avenue I reached the very busy A603, which the map has marked as Roman Road. I am sure I saw a large delivery wagon with Italy wrote on the side, fly passed me, so it shows the Romans still use it today.
Over the road I continued north along the right hand side of the avenue which was getting wider. It was along here The Harcamlow Way turned left and headed west. I continued north up towards Wimpole Hall. Not that I could see it as trees obscured the view. I was soon approaching a flock of sheep.
I walked through a gate, more sheep, when I turned off my route slightly to collect my first Geocache of the day. Once collected I turned back to the path that took me towards the front of Wimpole Hall. I still had a little way to go.
Through a gate and I was on a cultivated gravel path a turn left and I was in front of the Hall. As I was writing this walk up I noticed that I was back on part of The Harcamlow Way, which had turned back to pass in front of The Hall.
I turned around towards the large building to the right of the Hall which I have since found is the stable block, then left across the grass towards the church. I could not get a very good photo of the church so continued along the gravel path in front of The Hall. I am sure the last statue represents Samson using a jawbone to kill a Philistine.
I was now walking up a steep rise of ground to the left of the house in search of another Geocache. At the top after collecting my find I could see ahead The Folly.
Now I had a choice, I could walk west to the start of The Wimpole Way or walk north and check out The Folly? I choose The Folly.
I dropped down to my right and followed the path over a bridge over a ditch. A flock of geese were just sitting to the left not bothered by the people or their dogs. Looking to my left I could see the lake that is shown on the map but to my right there was another large area of water. The map I could see shows this as a thin blue line, a narrow stream. A kissing gate then another bridge over the stream leads to a path that heads towards The Folly.
Over the bridge I saw there were two paths to The Folly one climbed straight up, the other followed the curve of the ground to the left. I took the direct route, straight up.
After a few photos I looked at the map to see if there was a path north, to join The Wimpole Way or would I have to go back over the bridge. There was nothing on the map I was using but as I left The Folly I could see a path dropping down to the west of The Folly and then turning north, beside a stream. I decided to follow it and see where it would take me.
After passing through a gate I was now walking along the edge of a ploughed field, by the stream. Other people had walked here and I could see another gate at the top of the field, which looked like it led onto The Wimpole Way. It was very slippery walking.
Walking through the gate at the top of the field I was on a very wide gravel covered path. The Wimpole Way, this area was shown on the map as The Belts. There were a lot of people walking along here and as I reached the top I could see for miles across to the east.
As The Belts dropped down to the road I could see the wide gravel path continuing over the other side towards the east. There was new gates and fences and I thought the details on my map may have changed. But after two steps things just didn't fit, so I returned to the road and followed the road north. There were lots of cars parked on the sides of the road making it difficult for anyone driving through.
At the top as the road bends west I saw a sign pointing Wimpole Way. After a few hundred meters passed some holiday cottages another footpath sign for Wimpole Way and Kingston directed me north. I was now also back on another part of The Harcamlow Way.
It was slippery in places as I continued to follow the signs north. As the Way took me up beside a hedge I could see right across the countryside to the east.
The Way took me between two large hedges as it dropped down into Kingston. I was on Crane's Lane and turned left following the signs onto The Green. I noticed a lot of people out cycling.
I saw the phone box had been turned into a place to leave books. Someone had done the same thing in a village I passed in Northumberland a few weeks ago. Very good idea.
I continued along The Green which turned into Church Lane, passing The Church and walked out of Kingston.
I passed more cyclists as I reached the B1046 at the top of the lane. Where a sign directed me left.
After a few hundred meters another sign directed me north again towards Caldecote.
A slight climb and a couple of twists in the road then I was passing the Church, signs directed me further up the road for The Wimpole Way.
I knew I would be turning right and heading east in a short while. Just next to another phone box.
It was good to get off the road.
Following the edge of fields The Way turns north. It was very muddy along here and slippery. I was starting to think the road was not such a bad place after all. After a few meters it was ok, good walking. This would not last.
I was now walking the western edge of Hardwick Wood. When I ran into more slippery mud and it was in long stretches, deep in places. There was no getting away from it, I couldn't see anything other than to walk through it. When I said other parts of The Way were slippery and muddy, they were nothing like this.
Eventually I reached the top of the wood and my path was now to the right. I opened my Geocache app on my phone and found I was standing close to a couple of caches, so thought why not I would collect these as well.
Returning back to this junction I was walking east towards Hardwick when I received a message deleting both these finds. Later the owner said I was an armchair logger. Even though I had photos, and the mud on my boots and trousers to prove it.
Across an open field, then up beside a large hedge I collect another Geocache before reaching the new building work on the edge of Hardwick.
The Way crosses the road and continues east.
The views opened up to my right, the sun was coming out and what had been an overcast day was turning bright and sunny.
A little zig zag through a small wood took me to the left hand side of a hedge. As The Way dropped slightly I am sure I could see Cambridge in the distance.
At the bottom of the bank I was directed over this bridge.
A few meters on and The Way turns right, heading east again. Over the road I was now in the area of Barton Road Range. The map still shows this as Harcamlow Way. It was pleasant walking along here and after leaving the trees I noticed I was following a route of Geocaches so collected a few on my way.
After just over a km I was on the edge of Coton.
Walking through Coton I passed the Church.
At the top of the road I turned right.
Then followed the road as it turned left. Continuing straight on passed a pub. I was so ready for a drink and none is to be had.
At the top of the road a sign said the bridleway over the M11 was closed, but I still had a look.
Returning back to the pub junction, I had a quick rest and a sandwich and planned what I would do next. I could not continue on The Wimpole Way that is why I have put a question mark in the title of my blog.
Checking a map, I saw there was another footbridge over the M11 a little further south. So I walked down the road a few hundred meters and turned left following a footpath sign to Newnham.
After crossing a few fields my path joined a large track, where I saw another sign saying that the path I was heading towards was closed.
A quick check and I turned right towards the Coton Countryside Reserve carpark. This took me to Grantchester Road where I turned left, south. I didn't want to go this way but it looked like I didn't have any choice. I had thought about walking back to Whaddon but it would have been dark. At this rate it will be dark before I get to Cambridge.
I continued along Grantchester Road as it turned south east then started to climb up over the M11.
Grantchester Road drops down to the roundabout with the A603.
I turned right up the A603, Barton Road and walked into Cambridge. A photo of entering Cambridge was blurred so I have not shown it here.
None of this looked familiar from when I lived here over 40 years ago. Perhaps my memory is not as good as I remember.
I passed this chap as I was walking The Fen Causeway just before crossing the River Cam.
I found Hills Road and still did not recognise anything.
After a little more wandering I started to remember a few streets. This was where I lived over 40 years ago. It is like I read it in a book, that was someone else's life. So much time, so little time. Many opportunities missed or wasted. Little did I know then that today I would be walking down this street again.
I found my way to Parker's Piece. I can remember falling asleep here in the sun watching the cricket. I had made the mistake of lying on my side so only one arm and the side of my face was bright red. The rest of my face and other arm was still white.
That's enough of that.
Leaving Parker's Piece I headed towards the train station.
It had been a good days walking. I had been looking forward to doing a walk like this when I heard I was moving here for work. I had enjoyed collecting a few Geocaches despite the clown denying me a couple I had found. A little visit to memory lane or can't remember lane.
Though the day I had walked nearly 41km with a 160m climb which includes my walk to the start and the walk from the train station back to my accommodation. The walk from Whaddon to the bridge over the River Cam in Cambridge is approximately 28km with 150m climb.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire/Essex/Hertfordshire or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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