Walk #6: Waterbeach to Newmarket Road, Cambridge

General Data

Notes

Today looked as though it was going to be a nice day, and so I decided that it may be a nice idea to walk into walk. The most obvious route was to follow the River Cam southwards, and then cross the river at Baits Bite Lock and walk down into Fen Ditton, from wher my wworkplace is just a ten minute walk away. I had walked this route before several times in the past, and so I was defintely going to be on home ground.

There is plenty of interest to see on the walk and it was far from a boring stroll. Just to the south of Waterbeach there is the place where the Roman Car Dyke (a canal that used natural watercourses and man-made cuts) met the Cam. This Dyke allowed Roman boars to go between the Cam and Lincoln, and traces of it can also be seen in Lincolnshire.

Further to the south, just beyond Baits Bite Lock, I came across a flotilla of rowing boats. Some were single sculls, whilst others were twein, four-man or eight-man boats. Each one of the eigh-man boats was accompanied by a cyclist pedaling beside the boats as they rowed at speed down the river, yelling instructions at them. It all left me wondering how many of those rowers may be appearing for Cambridge in the boat race in future years.

Directions

(Note that these directions are from my flat in Bannold Road, Waterbeach; to walk it from the centre of the village remove 1/2 a mile, and from the railway station 3/4 of a mile).

Walk along Bannold Road towards Bottisham Lock and the River. Once the river has been reached, follow the western bank southwards until you reach the road near the railway station.

Cross over the road, and take a path in the field opposite which follows the road. This brings you out by the river just upstream of the road bridge.

Follow the river for a couple of miles. This is a very nice section of river and a joy to walk. Eventually you reach Baits Bite Lock, just south of a path leading to the village of Milton.

Cross over the bridge over the lock and follow the path past a house and then southwards through a wooded area. This wood then finished, and you crossa field and a stile before coming to a bridge under the A14. Pass under this, trying to ignore the noise of the traffic and cross a stile before angling across a field and onto a road.

Follow this road through a residential area as it twists and turns. At a junction near a cross, take a path straight ahead which leads into Fen Ditton estate.

When you reach a road on the estate turn left and follow the road around. When you reach a crossroads, turn left and follow the road until you reach a main road opposite a parade of shops. Turn right onto this road and follow it for a few hundred yards until you reach the Newmarket Road.

Disclaimer

Please note that I take no responsibility for anything that may happen when following these directions. If you intend to follow this route, then please use the relevant maps and check the route out before you go out. As always when walking, use common sense and you should be fine.

If you find any information on any of these routes that is inaccurate, or you wish to add anything, then please email me.

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And finally, enjoy your walking!

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