Three Villages Walk Instructions, St Ives, Walks and tours

Three Villages Walk Instructions

Starting at the Bus Station head West towards the market square, easily identified by the tall spire of The Free Church. Walk down the length of the square past the war memorial and Cromwell's statue.
Cut through the passage ahead and turn left into Bridge Street towards the river.
Cross the river using the stone bridge. Pause to explore the Bridge Chapel - you may need to fetch the key if it is not open. From the bridge you have a view back to the quay on the left and the Dolphin Hotel and Hemingford Meadow to the right.
Continue turning right into the Dolphin Hotel car park. Walk past the hotel, through the underpass, and follow the footpath through the gate onto Hemingford Meadow. The meadow is managed by The Wildlife Trust.
The foothpath crosses the meadow diagonally and continues along the southern edge for about 1500m before leaving the meadow and joining a lane leading to Hemingford Grey, passing through a kissing gate.
On the right of the lane are some man-made lakes marked private.
Continue along the lane past some secluded homes. Turn right at Meadow Close. In the corner near No. 3 the path leaves the lane. Although signposted it is not easy to spot where the path continues.
Continue on the footpath as it leads you along the edge of some riverine meadows on the right. You will pass through many gates on this part of the walk. To the left is a residential part of Hemingford Grey screened off by tall fences.
It then joins a road. Turn left along the lane following the footpath signs. Some 200m up the lane the path leaves to the right through a chicane. Continue on the path with fences on the left and meadows on the right.
The path closes in with fences on both sides and tennis courts on the right. It's called Love Lane.
After about 300m the path emerges into Church Lane. Turn right and follow the lane down to the church, located on the river bank. On the way you will pass Hemingford House on the right.
The path continues west from Church Lane, branching off just to the left of the church gate. Continue along the path with the river immediately on the right. Cycling is not allowed on this stretch of the path.
After about 400m the path emerges into a turning area at the end of the lane and a most attractive village setting. On the corner is River Cottage. Looking back you can see the church and opposite an island of meadows formed by the river Ouse as it divides and meanders across the plane.
Continue in the same direction picking up the path on the opposite side of the turning area at the end of the lane, past the thatched cottage on the left.
This section of the path has beautiful views of the river and meadows opposite. There are benches to sit on to admire the view or simply take a rest. It is also a quiet stretch of the river where boats often moor. The path then veers away from the river towards the village, crossing a field and then between the houses. There are a number of kissing gates along this stretch - approximately one every 200m or so!
After about 800m the path leads you into the vilage of Hemingford Abbots. Continue right along the road past the square and the Axe and Compass Pub 200m or so on.
Continue along the road in a westerly direction passing a road to left signposted A14.
After 300m or so pass River lane on the right, continuing straight.
About 800m or so from the Axe and Compass you come to Meadow Lane on the right. Turn right following the footpath signs down the lane towards the river.
At the end of the lane the footpath continues over Black Bridge and then across a ridge formed by the dismantled St Ives to Huntingdon railway.
Cross the meadow staying on the footpath. In winter this meadow forms part of the river Great Ouse floodplain and it may be impassable.
You will come to a gate and a footbridge across the river at the Houghton lock. The Ouse Valley Way footpath to the left leads to Godmanchester.
Cross the river and follow the path around to Houghton Mill. If it is open pause to have a look around.
Leaving the Mill turn left and then right walking up the lane towards the Houghton village square. Pass St Mary's Church on the left. There are several pubs and tearooms in Houghton-Wyton where you can get refreshments and food. At this stage you have completed just over half the distance, so it may be a good opportunity to stop for a drink or a bite to eat.
Turn right off the square down the lane, heading East, past the antiques shop. Stay on the road ignoring the various footpath signs branching off.
After about 400m the road bears left and a footpath to the right. Stay on the road.
After another 400m there is a kink in the lane. Stay on the road and as it crosses a brook continuing past small holdings on the left and meadows on the right. This is one end of the thicket path linking Houghton-Wyton with St Ives. Although this is still a road it is becoming ever narrower.
After about 600m you will pass Houghton Meadows nature reserve on the right. Take the opportunity to explore it if you are so inclined.
Continue on the thicket path towards St Ives. You will pass through The Thicket, and after about 1km emerge into an open avenue with the river on the right and the St Ives golf course on the left.
On the right is Nobles Field.
Continuing you will pass the Cromwell Scout site on the right and after another 300m reach the St Ives Parish Church, and a white footbridge across to Holt Island. Take the opportunity to explore Holt Island if it is open.
Cross into the church grounds and follow the path around the church, exiting on the eastern side. After another 100m or so the path joins the Waits in St Ives.
Continue along the Waits, past the Norris museum on the right and up the Broadway.
Walk through the lane on the left of Piggots Jewellers, pass the Royal Oak and continue to the Market square and back to the starting point.