Whaddon to Potton Wood - Cambs/Beds 9 Jan 2021

Whaddon to Potton Wood and return
Cambridgeshire / Bedfordshire
Distance 38km Climb 355m
Saturday 9 January 2021

While looking into a previous local walk, The Wimpole Way I saw a walk called The Clopton Way. Today was an opportunity to explore this a little further.

I walked from Whaddon to join The Clopton Way at Wimpole Hall. You can compare the view I had on today's walk with the view when I walked The Wimpole Way. Today was cold with freezing fog, so no real view. Normally I would expect to see the Church from here.

I followed the same route as my walk along The Wimpole Way. Leaving Waddon on the footpath heading north west, signposted towards Ermine Street.

I passed the sign showing me I was on The Harcamlow Way. In places it was very muddy and slippery. I was glad I had decided to bring my walking sticks on today's walk. 

I passed through the barrier where The Harcamlow Way turns almost directly north, along the very wide avenue of trees.  

After a few hundred meters I passed the small lake which is full of rushes and tall grasses. The bridge rose out of the mist, crossing over the River Cam or Rhee. On the previous walk this way I could see Wimpole Hall from the crest of the bridge. Today I could only see as far as the first few trees.

Continuing along the avenue I soon reached the normally very busy A603. It wasn't so busy today.

Crossing the road I continued north along the right hand side of the avenue. Up towards Wimpole Hall.

Passing though a gate and continuing towards the Hall, I saw a couple of swans sitting on My Lady's Pond, one of the small fenced in lakes.

A little further on and I saw the tower on the stable block raising out of the mist. It wasn't long before I could see the main path but I had could not reach it because of an electric fence, for the sheep. I turned left for a short distance to where there is a footpath gate. 

Through the gate and I was back on another part of The Harcamlow Way, it is also The Clopton Way. If you look closely you may see the shape of Wimpole Hall in the mist.

I turned left, and headed westward following The Clopton Way. Through fields of rare breed sheep and cattle.  

As I approached the gates I saw a green side directing me right. I soon realised this was a walk around the grounds and not directing us away from the gates. I was remembering a walk in Durham where I could not find the way around or through a set of gates. Very embarrassing.

I need not have worried the side gate was open and there is an obvious path towards it.

Through the gate I saw this interesting looking building over the road. It has the same coat of arms as shown on the gates so it must belong or had previously belonged to the Wimpole Estate.  

I walked down to the corner before crossing the A1198 shown on the map as Ermine Street, Roman Road. 

I was in Arrington and followed signs for The Clopton Way along Church Road. Following the road right then left as it climbed a little then I took the road right, along Church End. 

Passing St Nicholas Parish Church. At the end of the road there is some building work. Someone is getting a new house.

I followed The Clopton Way sign through a kissing gate and across an open field. The path gently climbs to the left up towards some trees. 

At the top of the hill there is a gate and with the frost the wooden steps looked a little slippery.

Through the gate and The Clopton Way turns right. With the wood on the right hand side and fields on the left.

A little dip at a track junction and I saw this sign pointing to Dead End. Not today.

The Clopton Way came out of the trees onto what looks like a fairly new private drive. There was a horseshoe tree. I was not sure if I should have been there, had I missed the path, I continued a few steps in my direction and soon came across another footpath sign.

I followed the sign which took me to the left hand side of a deep ditch. 

Passed a set of large gates The Clopton Way crosses over a narrow wooden bridge which looked slippery so I followed the tracks round on the left and both paths soon joined up.

After a few meters the path turns slightly right, still following beside the deep ditch. Over the ditch was a solar panel field. Not much sun today.

It did not take long to reach the corner where The Clopton Way turns left heading down hill slightly. All morning I had been noticing the lovely patterns the frost had been making on the branches of the trees and bushes. 

A few more meters and I soon joined a road.  

I was now on Church Lane Croydon. Walking towards All Saints Church I collected my first Geocache of the day. Sadly over the road there is a memorial to David Cyril Simons.

I should have had a further look over to the right to see if I could see any traces of the Medieval Village. 

At the bottom of Church Lane, at the War Memorial. The Clopton Way turns right along High Street.

Along here I passed the closed Queen Adelaide and some interesting thatched roofs. Not sure if you will be able to make out the thatched cockerel.

At the end of the houses I could not miss the opportunity to walk up the footpath on Croydon Hill to collect a couple of Geocaches. This was called "Great View" unfortunately due to the fog today it was not. So that means I will have to come back again.

Walking back down Croydon Hill I returned to the High Street. Turning right I continued with my walk along The Clopton Way.

At the top of the road The Clopton Way goes straight ahead across the road. There is also a sign showing this is the way to Medieval Village. 

Along here there was a number of other Geocaches to collect. I almost missed noticing I was walking through the site of the Medieval Village.

Leaving the village I continued westward collecting Geocaches as I went. I had also noticed a number of young deer tracks in the soft mud.

I reached the farm track that ran up to Top Farm. There were no signs as to which side of the ditch was the footpath. The photo of the Way on my phone was not very clear either so I choose the bank on the right as the other side looked very muddy. 

At a footpath junction, a bridge crosses the ditch. There was a sign for The Clopton Way on the other side of the bridge so I crossed over. The footpath was very wet and slippery.

After a few hundred meters The Clopton Way reaches a road and turns right following the road to New England Farm. In a north easterly direction.

I could hear people working on a building near the farm, long before I could see them.

The Clopton Way continues through the farm before turning left. After a few hundred meters there is a split in the footpaths, unfortunately no sign posts. So I took the first one on my right hand side. 

I was starting to think about time and distance now, how far would I get? when should I turn around? In order to get back before it gets too dark.

Following the left side of a large ditch. On checking this out later, this was The Clopton Way although I also saw all the paths joined up again anyway.

At the top of the field I crossed the footbridge which showed I was on still on The Clopton Way.

Over the bridge and in the top corner of the field the footpath sign has fallen over. I soon saw another sign round the corner. So a short right then left and I was soon heading west. A more detailed map shows this as Hatley Gate. It was as I was writing my blog I realised I had crossed the county boundary line. It was very slippery and muddy in places so I was glad of my walking sticks.

At the next junction The Clopton Way turns right. This is a better path to walk on. It turns left and led me straight into Cockayne Hatley. 

After a few hundred meters I spotted this footpath sign and followed it. NOTE This is not The Clopton Way. The correct footpath is 150m further along the road.

It was at the top of the path when I saw there was no Church I realised this was the wrong path. Once I orientated myself I set off and was heading towards the Church. At the junction across a couple of fields I could see Potton Wood through the mist.

This reminded me of a time when my children were young and we went for a bus trip to some woods. 

I was soon back on The Clopton Way as I passed the Church of St John the Baptist.

.

Walking towards the junction with Hatley Road a number of large yellow lights hung in the air. If it hadn't been the noise of the farm vehicle it could have been mistaken for a flying saucer. 

At the junction I turned right and walked along the road. All of a sudden I was next to the water tower, it had just appeared out of nowhere.

Just passed the water tower is a small car parking area. The Clopton Way goes through the car park and onto a grass track. An opportunity to collect another Geocache. At the top of the track there is a right turn into the entrance to Potton Wood. My friend Billy told me Potton Wood is known for it's Blue Bells. I have since found out it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Out of the mist rose the viewing platform. 

I turned left at the viewing platform and walked on a few meters. It was now I had to decide. While I was eating a cheese and onion sandwich I checked out the photo of the map on my phone. I decided the sensible thing was to turn around now.

After my sandwich and a quick drink I headed back. Almost the same route back with a few changes.

My route back, passed the water tower onto Hatley Road. Instead of turning back up towards St John the Baptist's Church, I continued straight along Hatley Road. Passing the Cockayne Hatley sign.

This was the footpath sign I should have followed on The Clopton Way up to St Johns the Baptist's Church. 

After 150m I was back on my original route. Passing the Victorian Post Box in Cockayne Hatley. 

I was still following my outward journey route through New England Farm. This looks like an old petrol pump standing on the corner?

At the bottom of the road where the footpath turns left, I changed my route slightly. Instead of following the path on what was now the right of the hedge I kept to the left. It was a choice between slipping and sliding, or tripping and stumbling. I choose tripping and stumbling. 

After about 1km I was back on my original route. As I wasn't looking for Geocaches I was moving a lot quicker. 

At Croydon, I continued straight through the village, no need to see the trig point again.

Passed the War Memorial and turned left. It was near All Saints Church I noticed that the Churchyard was extending across to the other side of the road.

I continued on my original route. It was just passed the solar panel farm I noticed the frost and ice on these gates. I cannot say I noticed it on my way out. Can you see the ice hanging off the wire fencing.

My route now continued as the original. Into Arrington and along Church End.

Passed St Nicholas's Church. Left onto Church Lane and then over the A1198. 

Through the gates and back onto The Wimpole Estate. My route back was exactly the same as my route out. 

As I crossed the bridge over the River Cam or Rhee, I could hear the birds in the area of the small lake that is full of rushes and tall grasses. The birds were making such a noise.

By the time I reached Whaddon the light was fading.

I had to walk on a little further to my accommodation so the last couple of km was done in the dark. An interesting walk I will have to do it again when there is more hours of day light and hopefully no fog. I had walked over 43km but the walk I have written about covers 38km with 355m climb. Looking forward to the next walk.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of writing.

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.

 

Whaddon to Cambridge American Cemetery - Cambridgeshire 28 Nov 2020

Whaddon to Cambridge American Cemetery and Return
Cambridgeshire
Distance 39km Climb 320m
Saturday 28 November 2020

I was reminded of the Cambridge American Cemetery during my walk last week. I used to visit the Cemetery occasionally when I lived in Cambridge over 40 years ago. As I am currently working away from home and the American Cemetery was not too far, so I thought I would pay a visit.

Leaving Whaddon, I crossed the recreation ground and spent a little time finding the Geocache near St Mary's, Whaddon's Parish Church. 

Continuing eastwards along Church Street. There was a lovely scented smell coming from one of the houses on my right but I could not identify it.

Reaching the corner where the road turns right I took the footpath left towards Orwell

After a couple of hundred meters the footpath turns right off the track and heads north east, between a ditch on the right and an open field on the left. I have since found on one map this path is called Leaden Hill.

At this junction my path continued straight ahead. The map shows the path to the right heads towards Hoback Farm. 

Continuing north east a short rise took the path over a ditch.

Continuing north east my path crossed straight over an open field. I am sure I could hear buzzards to my right. Buzzards are one of the few birds I can identify so I mention them quite a lot in my blog posts.

The weather was a little warmer than last week. Possibly because there was no wind. With no wind the mist just stayed where it was all day. A little wind may have cleared it.

Over the field and the path drops a little into a small wood. Where the path narrows as it twists and turns towards King's Bridge. 

King's Bridge crosses the River Cam or Rhee. Over the bridge the footpath travels between electrified fences.  It was very muddy and slippery along here.  

It was along here I did see a buzzard it just sat in a tree until I got my camera ready then it flew away. All I got was a smudge of a photo.

At the top of the hedge line, I was now heading slightly north west. Tractors had churned up the mud between the fields to my right and left. Leaving deep tracks, but I was soon over them and walking beside this great big white slug. 

The path followed to the right of a ditch the length of the field before turning right along the side of the field for approx. a hundred meters. Then it turned left through a gap in the hedge. Ahead I could see a small hill.

The hedges were full of lovely looking berries bluey/black and a couple of different types of red berries. They looked good enough to eat but I remember my Nana telling me not to eat red berries as red for danger. I don't know if there is anything in that, but you always do what Nana says.

At the top of the hill was a seat and a view of Orwell. Another opportunity to collect a Geocache.

From the seat the path starts to drop slightly. At a footpath junction I turned right, north east and followed the path down the hill into Orwell. 

My route took me straight through the village along Town Green Road. Passing another Geocache spot. 

At the top of Town Green Road was the church of St Andrews.

I turned right along High Street for a few meters.

Then across the road taking the footpath up the stones steps as it climbs beside the church.

At the top I collected another Geocache, before continuing to climb up Toot Hill.

At the top there is a kissing gate which took me into an area called The Clunch Pit.

The Clunch Pit is where they got the building material for a lot of the buildings in the village. A very hard form of chalk. The area is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest for it's chalk grassland flora.

This was also where I realised what the GMT footpath sign stood for. The Greenwich Meridian Trail. I had seen this sign on last weeks walk and only now just realised what it was.

After a quick look around I headed for the footpath on the west side of The Clunch Pit, heading north. Continuing along The GMT. 

The footpath heads down the hill and travels beneath some trees before it reaches Hillside, the busy A603 Roman Road. 

Eventually I crossed over the very busy road, took a right, passing the front of a few houses. After a few meters I reached the next footpath which turned left. I was heading for The Eversdens.

This was Rectory Farm Lane, after only a few meters I saw a sign saying I was now on The National Trust, Wimpole Estate.

Continuing along here for another 500m when I saw the sign showing the footpath I was after on my right.  

I started heading north east, by the side of a large hedge. The path started to climb, my map shows this as Thorn Hill. I was blowing a bit when I reached the top.

Leaving The Wimpole Estate, parallel footpaths led me north west for a short distance. I have since found this is The Mare Way.

After a few hundred meters I turned right and headed down the hill, north east. I was heading for a small rectangular shaped wood. 

Walking down the hill I could hear voices but the people were out of view until I crossed over a small crest on the path. They were walking up and had been in a patch of dead ground. Further down the path it levels out and then enters the rectangular wood. 

There were a number of fenced off areas within the wood. Look like private paddocks.

Coming out the wood on Pound Drift, I followed the footpath north east towards Little Eversden.  

At the junction where the track joined the road I turned right onto Harlton Road.

Walking Harlton Road for about 400 meters, I turned left up High Street.

There are some very interesting looking houses in Little Eversden as I made my way along High Street. Including this VR post box.

High Street follows on and becomes Lowfields. At the top, the road just stops and a footpath continues north east.

As I walked along beside the edge of the field, a field of turnips I think, I could see three large radio telescopes pointing skywards just on the edge of the mist, across the fields to my right. 

At the top of the field the footpath crossed a narrow track, something to do with the telescopes.

On the far side the footpath follows by a fence which took me into and around the edge of another large field of turnips, I think.

Leaving the field I was now walking north on the Royston Road heading towards Comberton. Collecting another Geocache on my way.

I stayed on Royston Road passing St Mary's.

Royston Road becomes South Street, where I passed the empty Three Horseshoes.

I continued up to the junction with the B1046. 

Crossing the junction I was still walking north, passing the Comberton Village Pond. I was on Green End. A little further along I passed the Baptist Church, 

I stayed on Green End until it left Comberton. At the very top of the road just as it turns sharp right. I took the footpath to the left, heading west.

It was lovely walking along here, the colours of the hedges. Yellow leaves, bluey/black and red berries. Some of the berries had a sheen of water others had droplets making then shine in the weak watery light, beautiful.

After walking west for a few hundred meters the path turns north. Then starts to gently climb uphill. In places the path was very muddy but nothing like the path I walked by Hardwick Wood last week. 

At the top I have since found I was in Starve Goose Plantation. This is where I joined part of the walk I did last week along The Wimpole Way.  

As always I take too many photos, so I have not included any for this part of my walk. You can check some out following the links to last weeks walk. 

Today I followed the Wimpole Way north then east as it followed the edge of a large field. Last week I thought I could see Cambridge along here. Not today because of the mist.

At the bottom of the field the Way turns left and drops down to cross a stream over a metal bridge. A little climb and the Way turns right to cross Long Road into the Barton Road Range.  

Something I did notice last week but forgot to mention was as I approached Coton. The footpath crosses an area of old tree roots. Very flat you would hardly notice them. These look like they belonged to very old trees, I don't think they belong too the trees there today? I also collected another Geocache. 

It was along here last week when I collected a couple of Geocache I saw they mentioned the Cambridge American Cemetery. Which was a reminder, so thank you.

Walking through Coton, I took the footpath to the left up by Coton C of E Primary School. Pointing towards Madingley.    

The footpath climbs a little and it was along here I collected another two Geocaches.

At the top, the footpath comes out on Madingley Road the A1303, another busy road. Right across the road from the Cambridge American Cemetery.

The A1303 is another busy road to take care crossing over. I walked along to the entrance to the Cemetery which was closed. Thinking about it I would have been surprised if it had been open. I remember it being a very peaceful, restful and respectful place. Since my last visit all those years ago I heard they now have a visitors centre.

I had a little wander around, to collect a couple more Geocaches before heading back.

The route I took back was almost the same route out. I like to walk the same route in reverse as things sometimes look different, other things may catch my eye. 

I saw this cottage on my way out but there was just something about it asked me to take its photo on my return. Perhaps it was the little stone pig? 

Leaving Comberton on South Street I turned down a footpath called The Causeway. This took me passed a large house and behind St Mary's Church. 

Coming out on Church Lane I collected another Geocache, which has not been deleted so far. Before walking right, back onto Royston Lane and continuing along my original route.

Someone flying a microlite passed as I was walking by the turnip field heading towards Little Eversden.

Walking High Street through Little Eversden I spotted this strange chimney. I hadn't noticed it on my way out. Worth taking a photo I thought.

At the end of High Street, instead of turning right along Harlton Road the way I had walked out. I continued straight ahead and onto The Mare Way.

After a slight drop down hill, there was a steep climb up beside a wood. At the top after a few meters I had to walk through an area of slippery mud before I reached the junction where I had joined The Mare Way earlier in the day. However before turning left down onto The Wimpole Estate I had to walk on a little further to collect one more Geocache, one I walked passed earlier.

Returning to my original route, I was in a little bit of a hurry as I was trying to get as far as I could before it turned dark. 

I reached the edge of Whaddon just as the light faded. Not far now. 

On the whole most of the paths were dry but there were still patches of slippery mud. I was still covered in mud. 

I was a little tired, who said Cambridgeshire was flat, I found some of the hills made me blow a little especially on my way back. 

It had been a good day walking. I have shown the distance above as 39km return but this is approx. With all my wandering here and there I had covered 44km with a climb of 320m. I have another walk planned so looking forward to that.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of writing.

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.