This walk takes you along the Great River Ouse to explore the beautiful and historic city of Ely. | Start and return point | The Cutter Inn, Ely | | Distance | 3 1/4 miles | | OS Explorer map ref. | 226/GR 545797 |
Directions to start:
Follow the A142 to Ely and the roundabout with Station Road. Almost immediately after turning off northwards onto Station Road, turn right and follow Annesdale to the Cutter Inn. If you are driving, park in the pub car park, or nearby. About the Cutter Inn
The pub's name is derived from the river diversion (or 'cut') that brought the Great Ouse nearer to Ely. It offers real ales and serves food throughout the week. Telephone: (01353) 662713. |
Off we go!
1. From the pub turn left and follow the riverside towpath along the Fen Rivers Way. Keep to the riverside as closely as possible, for about 1 1/2 miles, following Fen Rivers Way waymark arrows. 2. Pass through the wooden gate, bear left and follow the narrow, metalled footpath, yellow waymark arrow and the Black Fen Waterway Trail small black waymark arrow. The footpath passes by some industrial buildings and continues to Kiln Lane. 3. At Kiln Lane, turn left and follow the road over the railway level-crossing. Immediately on the other side of the level-crossing turn left, following the public footpath sign pointing to the Hereward Way and a narrow metalled footpath (Springhead Lane). Springhead Lane is metalled as far as the tress (roughly 50 yards), after which time it becomes a dirt track leading through the trees. 4. At the end of Springhead Lane (roughly 1/3 mile), pass through a wooden gate, following a yellow waymark arrow to continue the final 10 yards or so to the main road (Lisle Lane). Turn left and follow Lisle Lane until it terminates at the T-junction with Waterside and Fore Hill. Turn right at the T-junction and follow Fore Hill up the hill, straight on past the junction with Broad Street, and on to the High Street.  | Stroll past Ely Cathedral |
5. Follow the High Street to the slightly staggered crossroads with St Mary's street and The Gallery. At this point the walk can be interrupted in order to visit Ely Cathedral (The Gallery) or any of the three pubs that cluster around the crossroads. 6. To resume the walk, set off from the crossroads along St Mary's Street; eventually leading past Oliver Cromwell's house and on to Silver Street. Turn left at Silver Street and continue to the junction with The Gallery. Turn right onto The Gallery, but not immediately right onto the small road that connects with Barton Road. 7. Continue along The Gallery as it becomes Back Hill, then follow Back Hill for about 300 yards down to Castlehyth. Turn left and follow Castlehythe to Annesdale (roughly 50 yards), then turn left and follow Annesdale back to the Cutter Inn.
8. Hoorah! You're back at the pub. Have a beer and a bag of peanuts - you deserve it. This walk features as Walk 9 in the Pub Strolls in Cambridgeshire book by Ady Collier. Photographs and information reproduced with kind permission of Countryside Books. | 
