[1] Go down Church Lane to the left hand side of The Cock, and at the junction opposite Hemingford Grey House turn right onto Church Street. To the left at this junction is the church which is worth a detour or can be viewed on the return journey.
(A) St James Church. The first building on the site was erected c.1160 and added to over the next 400 years. Extensive restoration was carried out in 1859. The church has an unusual feature brought about during a hurricane in 1741 when the spire was blown into the river. It was never replaced. Also see book England's Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins. Page 294 describes Hemingford Grey Church and its history.
Shortly after turning right on Church Street, turn left along a footpath (Love Lane sign posted to St Ives), and on reaching a road, cross and go straight ahead down Meadow Lane, with small estate to the left. At the bottom of the lane, enter Hemingford Meadow, bearing right on the path towards St Ives.
[2] Reach St Ives through the car park of The Dolphin Hotel. Turn left and cross the river by the ancient bridge (with chantry chapel).
(B) The present stone bridge which has been altered many times was built in the 1420s replacing an older wooden bridge thought to date from AD1100.
Continue along Bridge Street and take first left in town into Merryland and emerge into the main street (Broadway). Continue towards the church, with the river on the left. Pass through the churchyard, and onto a path towards Houghton. Continue along this path (Ouse Valley Way) keeping on the metalled road into the centre of Houghton, rather than taking earlier left turns towards the river.
(C) The central square is surrounded by lovely old houses, and boasts a statue to Potto Brown, a local benefactor.
Turn left to pass/enter church on right, and reach the river by passage way under Houghton Mill
Continue over Houghton Lock and then go straight ahead through Hemingford Meadow on a tarmac path, before crossing the river at Black Bridge.
[3] Walk up to the road, and then turn left on Common Lane into Hemingford Abbotts, with short diversion to your left down Church Lane to visit left to visit Hemmingford Abbotts church if you wish. With the road to the church on your left, keep left through village to find footpath off to the left, leading by the river back into Hemingford Grey, passing the Manor House to reach St James Church along a narrow riverside path.
The views towards the Church, and then the churchyard, are wonderful.
A visit to Hemingford Manor House and Gardens (formerly home of children's author Lucy Boston) can also be taken provided you have pre-booked with Diana Boston. See www.greenknowe.co.uk for further details.
Just after the church, on Church Street, turn right back down Church Lane to return to the start by the Cock Inn