Since Covid-19 we have never been that many times away around Cambridge as before. Of course we stay at home as much as possible, but some free little trips around town are the perfect way to escape for a little moment. At least you get the feeling to reload a bit before starting a new week in the bubble of the city where everything is still closed.
Every Sunday we close the week with a long walk between the surrounding fields and hills of Cambridgeshire. The countryside is beautiful and offers so many nice walks for the whole family. Everytime I get surprised by the beauty and diversity of nature in England.
This time we brought a visit to Wooddinton, a small village on a 30 min drive from Cambridge. – The drive already showed us beautiful sights, so we got really excited to see more of the surrounding area.
After we parked our car next to the Three Black Birds, we followed the walkway signs along the road. It makes clear that almost every village in the UK has it’s own walkway paths that will bring you to the most beautiful places around town. It also makes it more easy and accessible to explore the environment, especially when you’re walking with kids.
From the start we got surprised by a giant water tower that was rising up in the air. A brutal concrete constructer. In my opinion an architectural beauty, but I don’t think everyone would think the same. Maybe it’s because of the bigger contrast of old houses, green hills and then this ‘Bauhaus‘ kind of creature that strikes up between that all. However a good point to start your walk, as you definitely won’t miss it.
When you walk a bit further along the road following the bend, you’ll see a small sign of a walking path to the right. Although you get the feeling you’re walking through somebody else his garden, you just have to walk further. This public footpath will lead you to a very wide field with high grass that you need to cross to reach the woods. There is a path in the middle, so it’s all safe and legal. And super fun of course, especially for children.
When reaching the end of the field you’ll enter the woods, just go straight and follow the signs that directs you to a wooden stairs a bit up high on a hill. This will be the start of your walk through the forest of fairies. It’s a beautiful and adventures walk with lovely views over the green hills. Covered by high trees with the flashy sunlight that sneaks between the leaves, it definitely feels a bit magical.
When entering an y-crossing, just make sure you’ll take the path down on the right as it will take you to the next part of your walk: the green fields.
While we were walking between the fields, I suddenly got a bit of a feeling like we were on holiday. The silence, high grain, wide views, hills , dry ground and the warmth of the sun on my skin. While closing my eyes, it almost felt like Southern France to me. – Probably I’ve visited the countryside in France more often than I did in England, makes sense I’m thinking opposite. But of course England is that beautiful too, that’s why we like to discover these places so much.
The field will lead you to a gritty road where you have to turn right and follow all the way straight towards a gate that you need to open to continue your route. The final part will start here where you see horses and an old farm. We even got surprised by a group of deers that were running behind the trees.
After the second gate the path brings you a bit up high back to the point where the route has started with the water tower on the left hand.
This walk is definitely one I would recommend, so much diversity in landscape. – Especially the ‘Fairy Forest’ has made a lot of impression on Lara, after a week she is still talking about it.
Information
Venue Type
Outdoor
Suitable for ages
Young Children (2-8), Older Children (9-12), Adults
Facilities Mersea Island
Parking available nearby – pub – not suitable for wheel- & push chairs – walking trails
Address & Contact Mersea Island Fresh Catch
Woodditton, Newmarket, UK
