Whaddon to Arkesden Return via Royston
Cambridgeshire/Essex/Hertfordshire
Distance 55km Climb 430m
Saturday 15 May 2021
Leaving my accommodation I was crossing a field towards Whaddon, to start my walk, when I spotted this little fellow. A yellow wagtail I believe. There were two of them and as I walked they jumped ahead, stopping every few meters to jump ahead as I approached again. I was surprised to get such a good photo, it was lovely watching them.
In Whaddon I headed east, passed the phone box.
I was walking down Bridge Street. As Bridge Street turns to the right I continued east along the footpath. I could just see the footpath sign above the hedge pointing towards Whaddon Green.
There was a lovely smell in the air as I noticed the curve in the roofs on the house to my left. I was enjoying my walk.
Passing through a kissing gate I saw the first sign I was on the Harcamlow Way. I was going to follow this a little today.
Through the trees and hedges on my left I could see a golf course which I think must belong to the Whaddon Golf Centre.
At the top of the field where the footpath meets the road, without leaving the field I followed another footpath south. After a few meters the footpath follows by the right hand side of a ditch and there is open fields on either side. The sky was light and the weather cool, the forecast was for light rain on and off throughout the day.
I had felt a couple of splashes of rain and hoped that was all it was going to be. As the footpath and ditch turns south west the Harcamlow Way crosses a footbridge over the ditch.
Continuing by the left hand side of the ditch the footpath heads towards Fountain Farm.
I was now back on Bridge Street.
A Harcamlow Way sign directed me left, passing Ermine Farm, I was walking south.
Just passed the high hedge on the right in this photo is a footpath sign, but it does not show it's The Harcamlow Way, although it is.
On my right for a short distance there was a green fence, to my left there was an open field.
As the footpath twists and turns south westerly, I could see the roof tops and chimneys of Kneesworth, just to the left of the direction I was walking. I soon reached a large square lake which has plenty of warning signs telling people not to enter.
The footpath turns left slightly, I was now heading towards Kneesworth. After a few meters the footpath drops slightly downhill heading towards a barrier.
Passed the barrier there is a field. I do not know what crop is being grown in the field but they look like they will have a large burgundy coloured flower. In a few weeks I could imaging the colour in this field will be stunning.
Through the kissing gate a Harcamlow Way sign directed me left up Chestnut Lane.
After a few hundred meters at the turning for the Hill View Farm Shop I turned right.
Near the farm shop is a footpath sign and Harcamlow Way Sign almost hidden behind small bushes, to the right of the road.
Through Hill View Farm the Harcamlow Way follows the edge of the field. After the footpath turns east around the edge of the field I almost missed this gap in the hedge.
Through the hedge the footpath runs beside the Kneesworth House Hospital.
Passed the Hospital I was heading to walk beside a large green shed. Hundreds of chickens were clucking and clicking in the field to my left. It looked like they had just been released.
At the top, the Harcamlow Way joined the Greenwich Meridian Trail. This was where I had walked in March only a few weeks ago.
Walking east, it was starting to rain a little and it was a little colder. I did think about stopping to put some warm clothes on but as I passed under the railway bridge, the rain eased and it turned warmer.
At the junction a Harcamlow Way sign points along the Royston Road towards Melbourn, along with a Greenwich Meridian Trail sign and Icknield Way sign. This is the route I followed.
The Harcamlow Way on the internet travels a little further down the A10 before turning left. The A10 was busy and I did not want to walk along such a busy road.
I continued along the Royston Road walking into Melbourn.
After a few hundred meters I turned right onto Back Lane. This was where I re-joined the Harcamlow Way that had headed down the A10.
It was busy walking down Back Lane as there was no pavement, for part of the way. I had to keep standing into the side.
After a short distance a pavement appears on the left. At the end of Back Lane a Harcamlow Way sign directed me left onto Water Lane. This would be the last Harcamlow Way sign I saw for a good few kilometres.
From previously checking out the Harcamlow Way on the internet I knew from Water Lane I had to turn right onto Orchard Close.
Passing the Black Horse and the United Reformed Church. Then turn right onto New Road.
Walking along New Road it started to rain again.
At the end of the pavement I could see the country road stretching ahead. I knew there were at least 2km walking on the road. Fortunately I saw a local dog walker crossing from the field to my left. So I went and had a look and found I could walk on the left hand side of the hedge to the left hand side of the road, in the photo.
I am not sure if this is a footpath as there wasn't a signpost however it appeared to be regularly used by locals. The map shows the Harcamlow Way runs along New Road.
After a couple of fields there was no option but to return to walk on the road. It was not as bad as I was expecting. An extra bonus was that the rain eased a little.
To my right there was Goffer's Knoll, I could see people walking up there. Somewhere to look at on another walk. For today I continued along New Road until it reaches the junction of the busy A505.
Turning left, there was no footpath however the verge was wide and had recently been cut.
I knew from my map The Harcamlow Way turns right down the B1368.
Flint Cross, it is a name to conjure up things in the imagination, I have driven through here a few times with work.
Just before the petrol station I turned right down Barley Road the B1368.
I was thinking about finding a place to stop for a short rest. I couldn't see anywhere on the roads so I just carried on.
A group of cyclists passed me not long before I turned left down this road which the map also shows as Harcamlow Way New Road.
The road climbs a little before dropping down. It was very cold and exposed along here.
After a few hundred meters the Icknield Way Trail crosses my path. I turned left where the Icknield Way Trail also becomes the Harcamlow Way. It looks like there may be a sign for the Harcamlow Way on the sign post but if it is it is very faded.
I was walking easterly between high hedges which gave a little shelter from the wind. I found a place to have a snack and a drink of hot chocolate. Feeling cold I also put on my warm clothing.
After my short break I set off again. Passing a telegraph pole with the first sign in ages confirming I was on the Harcamlow Way. In the distance I could see a long tree lined road and thought this was my path. As I approached Gravelpit Plantation I could see that the long tree lined road was Fowlmere Road. My path was shown on the map as Heydon Ditch along with Icknield Way, Harcamlow Way and Green Ditch ran. There was no footpath sign to show this.
Walking up the Heydon Ditch I could see Heydon on the top of the hill. It was a steady climb and I was soon warming up.
At the top the footpath led onto Fowlmere Road, Heydon.
I walked through Heydon along Fowlmere Road heading south. At the top there is a bus shelter, it looked a perfect place to stop and have a break so that was what I did.
Having my break I noticed a sign saying that the building was given to Heydon for the Queen's Coronation by a Mr Butler. Very Interesting. It was also an opportunity to check my map.
After my break I checked out some of the painted stones that had been placed at the gate of The Holy Trinity Church.
I then turned down Heydon Lane which would have been a right turn from stepping out of the Coronation bus shelter.
Walking by a wall for a few meters.
I reached a white railed fence around a small lake. The Harcamlow Way was just around the curve in the road.
After a few trees, the Harcamlow Way follows the edge of a field. Po was hanging from a tree. Po from the Teletubbies that is, I had to look it up. A small child must have dropped him and a passer by must have put him in the tree.
Around the corner the footpath turns right and heads across an open field. Reaching the hedge on the far side the footbridge was a little to my left.
As I approached the footbridge I saw this Muntjac Deer in one of the gardens to my right. It did not seem bothered by the noise coming from people in the next garden but I appeared to have startled it.
Crossing the footbridge I have since found out I was also crossing over into Essex. Being in Essex I am going to have to include this on the Index Post.
Over the footbridge I was walking a narrow path between gardens. There was a lot of cow parsley almost overgrowing the path.
Passed the garden the footpath joins a narrow road.
At the end of the road a Harcamlow Way sign directed me right. After a few meters a footpath sign turns left but a Harcamlow Way signs points straight ahead.
I passed an old water pump and a small pond.
I knew I had to turn left at the end of a small wood. There was an old footpath sign behind some trees, not very visible from the road and it had no notice of the Harcamlow Way, but this was the way.
Turning left the footpath skirts the edge of the field heading easterly. This led me through a hedge into what looks like the school field and village cricket ground.
Leaving the cricket ground by a gate I was now looking at the Red Cow.
There were no signs, I knew the Harcamlow Way turned right so I turned right and walked down the street. I have since found out this was High Street.
I soon realised I should have walked down by the Red Cow. As I was committed and I could see a point where I could re-join the Harcamlow Way I continued down High Street. Turning left up Chalky Lane.
Just passed Chalky Lane Cottage I re-joined the Harcamlow Way and turned right heading south.
As the path followed round the edge of a field to the left I could see the top of The Holy Trinity Chrisall Church Tower over the hedge. Dropping down slightly the footpath moves through a large hedge and into a narrow path across a field split off for horses. Far to the right there looks like a couple of old nissen huts.
Then through the gate and I was on Bury Lane. Just slightly left I could see a footpath sign with the Harcamlow Way sign pointing across a narrow footbridge.
Through a kissing gate and I was in a small field with young trees. The grass had just been cut. At the top of the field there was another kissing gate and an opportunity to find a Geocache.
This kissing gate led into the Churchyard of The Holy Trinity Chrisall. Walking through the Churchyard it was very warm and so I decided to remove my warm clothing.
Standing at the Church gates looking south west I could see the next part of my route laid out in front of me.
Someone leaving The Vicarage asked if I needed any directions. I explained that for a change I knew where I was and where I was going. So after saying no thank you I set off down the hill.
On reaching the bottom of the hill I crossed the new footbridge and followed the Harcamlow Way sign left. Crossing the B1039.
From the footbridge I could see the footpath sign in this photo. Unfortunately it does not show if this is the Harcamlow Way but it is.
I continued up the road towards Chiswick Hall. Near the top there is a footpath sign that directed me around the Hall. This was where I saw my first sign showing that I was now in Essex.
Passed the horses field, the tennis court and mini gymkhana. Follow the footpath left passed the swimming pool then right and I could see the next part of my route laid out ahead of me.
It was along here I noticed that the little bit of rain had made the mud wet and clingy to the bottom of my boots. I also noticed deer tracks in the soft ground.
Then just passed the next hedge line I looked left and spotted a herd of Roe Deer. They just stood up and ran off. I did not realise at the time that I had taken such a good photo before they had moved.
After a further 1.5km the Harcamlow Way cuts through and around to the left of Oldfield Grove. There were loads of Bluebells and they reminded me of my last walk through Potton Woods.
Moving south the Harcamlow Way follows the edge of a field. Then after a few hundred meters it turns left heading easterly.
Walking below a gap in the trees I spotted a purple dinosaur tied up in a tree. In the open there were private land signs to the right and left of me. Cows with calves and chickens were in pens to my right. Through this and I was in another area of trees which led to a track.
Turning right and following the track after a few meters to the left, I was in Langley. Continuing further along the track. I passed the village green.
At the road junction I turned left. After a few meters, I almost missed the footpath sign, turning to my right. It was very muddy here.
For a short distance I was walking beside some gardens before reaching another kissing gate.
Through the gate and I was walking by the edge of a field, down hill slightly. There were loads of what I think is white campion, cow slips and cow parsley.
Another gate into another field, I turned right slightly and here I had a choice. There was a path to my right away from the Harcamlow Way or I could go stay on the Harcamlow Way and go straight ahead. Both led to Roman Road Beard's Lane. I stayed on the Harcamlow Way and continued straight ahead.
At the top of the field I turned right to walk south west down Beard's Lane. This is the route shown on the internet for the Harcamlow Way. Yet there is a Harcamlow Way sign pointing to the left, which I ignored.
After a few hundred meters I was at the track junction I would have been at had I turned right at the junction I mentioned a little earlier.
I saw an Essex footpath sign pointing across an open field towards Clavering Farm. So instead of looking for the Harcamlow Way a little further along Beard's Lane I followed the Essex footpath sign direct across an open field to Clavering Farm.
Reaching a corner of a hedge I continued straight keeping the hedge to my right. At the end the footpath drops down to the right. I was back on the internet Harcamlow Way route.
Crossing a footbridge and a footpath there are some steps up. I was heading east on a footpath across a field of ripe seed.
At the top I turned left and followed the footpath to the left of another high hedge.
After a few hundred meters I was at a track junction. A sign showed I was back on the Harcamlow Way. I turned right.
After a few meters the Harcamlow Way crosses from the ripe seed field onto the other side of a tree line. I was walking the edge of the field when I saw a sign directing people left, onto what looks like a track made across the field by a tractor. It was starting to rain again and the ground was sticky, clinging to my boots.
After a few twists and turns following the tractor tracks I reached the farm track to Chardwell Farm. I turned left walking away from the Farm towards Hampit Road.
At the road junction I turned right onto Hampit Road.
It did not take me long to reach Arkesden.
I passed some interesting looking buildings, as the rain grew heavier and heavier.
At the junction I turned left towards Saffron Waldon along Wenden Road.
After a quick look at the information board I headed towards the Church, St Mary the Virgin. I was looking for a little shelter from the rain.
After a couple of photos, The Church Green Cottage.
The huge puddingstone War Memorial.
I found a seat on the side of the Church under the shelter of a tree, for my much needed break of hot chocolate and sandwiches. I had also decided to put my warm kit on.
It was very quite here, very calm and reflective as I sat and ate my sandwiches, listening to the birds singing.
After my break, with my energy levels restored I set off back along Wenden Road back up to Hampit Road and turned left to have a look at the Axe and Compass. I had thought about a drink but then realised the distance I had to walk back.
So turning around I walked back the way I had come. With only three differences. The first being when I reached Beard's Lane instead of turning left along Beard's Lane the way I had walked out, I continued straight across the footpath junction. Re-joining the Harcamlow Way at the end of the field.
I should also say the Harcamlow Way was better signposted walking on my return route than on my outward journey.
A little passed Oldfield Grove, I was keeping an eye out for the deer I had seen earlier in the area and I was not disappointed. I saw them just as they were running away and the photo was not as good as the one I have posted earlier.
The second difference I made to my return route was on reaching Chalky Lane. As I now knew where the correct footpath was I walked straight across Chalky Lane and followed the footpath up towards the Red Cow.
I again thought about stopping for a drink but time was moving on and so did I.
I continued along my return route following my outward journey. Stopping again at Heydon Coronation bus stop for a short rest and another cup of hot chocolate.
After my break as I was walking down Heydon Ditch, I could hear thunder far away to my right, east. Just as I was thinking this was the best it had been all day. The views were clear to my left. It was warm the sun was shining birds singing, lovely. I had removed my warm clothing earlier on the return journey.
At the bottom of Heydon Ditch, Gravelpit Plantation I turned left continuing up to the road junction. This was where I had joined the Icknield Way Trail earlier in the day.
This was the third change to my outward journey. Now instead of returning along New Road the Harcamlow Way, I continued west, straight across walking along the Icknield Way Trail.
Crossing Barley Road the B1368 I continued west. It was very warm along here.
The footpath becomes a track and I could see the busy A505 getting closer as the track and road come together.
A few hundred meters before the track and A505 converge I saw this footpath to my left.
This was good, as the footpath took me away from the road. For a few hundred meters it follows the edges of a few fields. I crossed into Hertfordshire just as the footpath starts to climb through a wood. It was lovely walking here.
Eventually the footpath drops down onto a forest track. I turned right and walked the few meters through some open gates.
I was now on Newmarket Road and a sign says Greenwich Meridian. Following Newmarket Road left, westerly, for the next 1.5km. It was along here I passed the Royston sign.
Reaching the A10 roundabout. It had just started to rain, again. I put my warm top on, again. The rain could not have waited a little while longer. Just till I had had a packet of chips. I was feeling tired and thought I deserved a little treat.
Passed the A10 roundabout the street is now Melbourn Street. I passed the Police Station on my right and the Memorial on my left, across the road.
Turning down Kneesworth Street I found the Chip Shop I was after. The rain was getting heavier as I ate my chips in a shop doorway.
Once fed I headed off along Kneesworth Street heading north. Passed Royston Railway Station. I had walked along here on my walk the Greenwich Meridian Trail to Buntingford.
Up and across the A505 roundabout back into Cambridgeshire and I was on the A1198 Old North Road, Roman Road heading towards Kneesworth. When it stopped raining.
Passing Kneesworth as I was very tired now, I decided I would just return to my accommodation rather than continue up to Whaddon.
It had been a great days walk. I had been out a lot of hours and felt good, tired but good. I had covered a distance of over 57km but am only showing 55km here with a 430m climb. I am looking forward to more wanders in the area.
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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