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A circular walk from Boxworth, Cambridgeshire

Difficulty Easy

Walking time 3 hours 30 minutes

Length 11.4km / 7.1mi

Route developer: David Elsom

Route checker: Graham Fletcher

Start location Opposite the Golden Ball, Boxworth
Route Summary A circular walk through four villages and their lovely churches starting from Boxworth. The route passes mainly over farmland and along village roads and is good under foot and well signed.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

Take the A14 towards Huntingdon, and come off at the turn to Boxworth/Cambridge Services / Trinity Foot / Swavesey. Drive through to the top end of Boxworth.  Park carefully opposite the Golden Ball, not blocking entrances or in the Golden Ball.

For information on local public transport, please see www. travelinesoutheast.org.uk

Currently the number 8 service run by Whippet travels to Boxworth from Cambridge Drummer Street bus station.

Description

[1] From the pub, walk back down the village street (High Street) towards the A14, and in about 200m turn left at first footpath sign, across pasture field, bearing right at fence and round hedge to the right, and head towards the church. 

(A) The oldest part St Peter’s is the 12th century nave, with other parts originating from the 14th, and 17th centuries. It suffered severe storm damage in 1636 and was rebuilt 4 years later.  Embedded in the outside walls are the remains of the old building, a stone corbel face, a Norman window arch and a number old stones with decorative carving, all on the south side. It is also noted for having windows by Kempe, a noted Victorian designer.This should be open every day.

Through gate, cross lane, into churchyard, with the church to the left, and then down towards the main road. At the road turn left, and almost immediately left again along a track labelled - Conington 2 miles.  Follow this track, passing a barn on the right, and soon afterwards a sharp left hand turn, then a sharp right hand turn.  Continue on for nearly two miles.

[2] On reaching a road, turn right, and in 200m turn left at a junction onto School Road. In 100m, after a telephone box turn left down a track signed to  Elsworth.
 
If you wish to divert to the church ahead on your right at this point, do so.
 
(B) St Mary's Church is of unusual appearance and exhibits three different styles. The oldest part of the present church is the west tower, probably dating from the 14th century and built of local stone. The tower was later topped with an octagonal spire rising to 29m. In the 18th century it was supplied with massive sloping red-brick buttresses because it was settling towards the southwest, not having originally been built to bear the weight of the spire.This is closed but keyholders contact details are available.
 
[3] Eventually you arrive in Elsworth, over a bridge into a housing development: left and into a passageway leading into Roger's Close. Turn right, up to the main road. Turn left, and then almost right up The Drift, with the church on your right.
 
If you wish to visit the church on your right at this point, do so.
 
(C) During medieval times Elsworth was one of the most populous villages in the neighbourhood. Elsworth has had a church since at least the start of the 11th century that fell under the patronage of Ramsey Abbey. The present parish church of the Holy Trinity was built on the site in the 13th or 14th century, and the chancel and west tower date from this period. The tower contains four bells, three of which date from the 17th century.
 
Exit the church the way you came in back onto The Drift.
 
Turn right and follow this path through to Knapwell. On approaching the village, bear left at the end of a high hedge where the track turns sharp right (board here for Hope Farm), and walk down a grassy track to the main road.
 
[4] Turn left, and soon afterwards turn right down towards the church.
 
(D)  More notable for it's lovely surroundings than the church itself, All Saints, Knapwell Parish Church dates back as far as 1400. The tower is the only medieval part remaining. The rest of the church was rebuilt around the mid 1800's, the work of William Fawcett who also rebuilt Longstowe St Mary. This is usually closed but details of keyholder are available.
 
Follow down, emerging on to a field. Take the diagonal track across the field heading for the far corner of the woodland to your left. At this corner, turn sharp left and follow signs to turn right up the track, and follow this track first with the hedge on your right, and then on your left. Through a kissing gate on to a grassy track, up to the road, and turn left, back into the top end of Boxworth, and the Golden Ball.
POI information No details available.
Notes

Refreshments - pubs available in all the villages except for Knapwell.

Acknowledgements

This route was developed by David Elsom on behalf of the Great Shelford Village website - http://shelford.lucidata.com. It was first published in Great Shelford Village News in 2003.

  • Boxworth
    Boxworth
    By - Graham Fletchere
This route has been viewed 73 times
Reviews
1 review
Overall rating:
Feb 27, 2013
hayward
(4 reviews)
An excellent walk for two codgers. In spite of mud in most places this route was almost mud free. Few stiles a definite benefit. Even viewing the churches its a 2hr 30min walk not over 3 hours. Definitley on my list to take others when the weather gets a little warmer. Terry Hayward
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