[1] From Grantchester Mill (photo 1) take the path along the side of the mill pond and down a narrow passage beside the Old Vicarage. Just beyond the Old Vicarage turn into the Orchard Tea Garden car park (photo 2).
(A) From the start point in Grantchester, a bronze horse and geese are visible, as is a Victorian Folly with writer's conservatory attached. A sculpture of Rupert Brooke, looking rather stiff in army uniform can be see through the gates of the Old Vicarage. Also clearly visible is an unclothed shepherd tending bronze sheep. The Rupert Brooke Museum occupies sheds at the side of the Orchard's car-park and is open all year from 11.00am to 4.00pm, admission free. The beautiful church and churchyard are also well worth a visit.
Walk through the Orchard to the High Street. Pass the church and continue to the road junction and turn left into Coton Road (photo 3). Walk along Coton Road for about 600 metres to the gate and footpath sign. (photo 4) Safety note - The Coton Road pavement stops about 100 metres from way-point 2. Walkers are advised to cross the road at this point to face oncoming traffic, and to be ready to step onto the rough verge to avoid traffic.
[2] Follow the farm track/path along fields and ditches.
(B) The track from waypoint [2] is known as the Baulk, dating from medieval times, it was the route used by local peasants to access and tend the crops on their furlongs . Thirty oak trees were planted in 2012 to commemorate the Queen's Diamond jubilee and to create an avenue towards the towers and spires of Cambridge. These are visible on the horizon, and include Kings College Chapel, which the walk passes. The verges are wide to encourage flora and fauna and wild watercress and water mint grow in the ditches.
Bear right, as indicated by the map, until reaching the Grantchester Road. Turn right along this road for about 75 metres and left into the St Catharines College playing fields car park. (This was closed on day of review)
[3] Follow the path on the north side on the playing fields and down the slope to the meadows (photo 5). Pass through the gate and turn left along the path and through a gate at the north end of the open meadows (photo 6). The path is then narrow and constricted (photo 7). Safety note - This path is shared with cyclists. There are a number of paths on this walk where cyclists share right of way with walkers. This works well provided people are considerate. Walkers should be prepared to step aside to let cyclists pass. Cattle graze on the Meadows and Coe Fen. They are benign but they do not always step aside for walkers! however it soon opens up into a potholed gravelled area leading to Grantchester Meadows Road. Turn right at the end of this road and go through the gate. (photo 8)
[4] The gate gives access to 'Paradise Nature Reserve'. The path through the reserve follows the river. On passing a small car park, take a right turn on a path that crosses two footbridges (photo 9).
[5] Across the bridges, the Leys School is in front, take the path to the left of the school to the 'Fen Causeway' road.
[6] Turn right and then left at the junction into Trumpington Street. Follow this street passing the Fitzwilliam Museum (photo 10) and into Kings Parade.
(C) The Fitzwilliam Museum offers free admission to see its many treasures, a shop and cafe and its external sculptures which provide good photo-opportunities. Since September 2006 the Corpus Clock has mesmerized passers-by. This can be found at the junction where Trumpington Street becomes Kings Parade. Great St Mary's Church is commonly referred to as the center of Cambridge, and it stands between the historic University buildings and the Market Place.
[7] Turn left down Senate House Passage, and right and then left passed Trinity Hall College, over Garret Hostel Bridge to Queens Road.
[8] Take the footpath along Queens Road (also known as the Backs) past Kings College and then take the path running diagonally across the green in front of Queen's College to Silver Street Bridge.
[9] Crossing this bridge, take the narrow passage at the side of the Anchor Pub and pass through the gate and over the weir bridge between the Upper and Lower River ( photo 13). Follow the upper river for about 100 metres and take the path on the right to the Mill (now a Bella Italia restaurant). Take the path along the mill canal to the pedestrian/cyclist pelican crossing over Fen Causeway.
[10] Then, where the paths cross, turn left past the children's paddling pool to Paradise Nature Reserve. Retrace steps back to Grantchester Meadows.
[11] The narrow path along the top of the meadows goes directly through to Grantchester Church, but it is a major route for cyclists and joggers, and unless the weather is very wet, walkers are well-advised to follow the path along the river bank where punting on the river and bird life in the wetlands beyond can often be observed (photo 14). Continue along the river bank to the Grantchester Cricket Club field and go through the kissing gate to the Orchard Tea Gardens, (photo 15).
[12] From here steps can be retraced to Grantchester Mill and waypoint [1].