THE WICKEN WALK

 The Wicken Walk

 Directions

From the St. Andrew's Church, walk southwards down the High Street towards The Red Lion Public House and War Memorial. Turn left down Brook Dam Lane and, after 100 yards, you will reach two paths on the right. Take the less obvious path on the left-hand side of the house, following it beside the river for almost a mile to reach a wooden bridge. Cross and follow a track straight ahead, to reach a lane. Go straight down the lane to reach a road. Turn left and walk to the corner. Here, take the track straight ahead, following it through fields in the direction of Downfields Windmill. On meeting a road, turn left and walk to Windmill Close. Now follow the brown windmill signs to Downfield Windmill. Walk back up the road towards Soham and, after about ½ a mile, just beyond the roundabout, take the signed track to your left next to The Cherry Tree Public House. Follow the track, then maintain direction along a lane. Cross the railway line, with care, into a field and walk with a hedge to your right. At the corner do not leave the field: instead, follow the right-hand hedge to the next corner. There, follow a beautiful, shaded path, staying on it to reach a track just the other side of the electricity lines. Turn left along the track to reach the main road (the A1123). Cross, with care, and follow the track opposite to reach a concrete bridge over New River. Cross and turn right, following the river for about ½ a mile to reach a small bridge. Cross and walk up the lane past Wicken Fen to reach the main road (the A1123) again. Turn right to the centre of Wicken. Go to the right of The Maid's Head Public House and walk down the small road to reach a path to your right called Drury Lane. Follow this well-trodden path around the edge of the allotments and then around edges of, and straight across, several fields, following the waymarkers and maintaining roughly the same direction (heading towards the obvious tower of St Andrew's Church in Soham). The path becomes a track: continue along it to reach a lane. Turn left and walk up the lane towards the railway line for about 500 yards to reach a signed footpath on your right. Take this well-trodden path, crossing stiles, bridges and fields to reach Soham Village College playing field. Follow the waymarkers along the edge of the field to your left then follow a tarmac path to a lane. Turn right, then cross the river and continue up the road ahead. At the top, turn left slightly to reach a footpath along an alley, following it into the churchyard of St Andrew's Church.

 Points of Interest

Downfields Windmill, Soham - Originally built about 1720, but rebuilt in 1890 and recently restored, Downfield is a good example of a smock-type windmill, though it is slightly unusual as it has an octagonal base.

Wicken Fen - The Fen is a National Nature Reserve owned by the National Trust and is one of the most important wetland habitats in Britain. Surrounded by such a dry and intensely farmed land, the 600 acre wetland (originally part of the Great Fen Levels) provides a vital habitat for numerous plant, insect and mammal species. Marked walks, hides and watchtowers are provided, as is detailed information on the site and its wildlife, with further information and displays on the history of the area. There is an entry fee for the Reserve. Note that the Reserve has only one entrance/exit i.e. you can not walk through it.

St Andrew's Church, Soham-This is a beautiful example of a church built in the Perpendicular style of English Gothic architecture, but with some rather extravagant additions. The chancel is particularly noteworthy, especially its stalls, panelling and stained-glass windows.

The Fountain, The Red Lion, The Ship, The Cherry Tree, The Maids Head, Wicken.