Rampton Droves, Cambridgeshire (3.6 miles)

Rampton is a small village to the north of Cambridge and at the edge of The Fens.  The area is flat with numerous droves and tracks criss-crossing the surrounding farmland. Choose a day with light winds as there isn't much protection from blustery weather!  Park at the village hall.

Start with your back to the village hall and cross the road and turn right.  Carry on this path, taking a quick detour up the small pathway on your left to visit the parish church - one of only two in Cambridgeshire to have a thatched roof.  

All Saint's Church, Rampton

Once back from the church carry on walking out of the village until you come to a white bridge over Cottenham Lode (known locally as The Cut).  

Cross over to the other side of the road and take the grass track, keeping The Cut on your left.  Follow the track for about a mile as it hugs the water.  Eventually the lode makes a sharp left, but take the right hand track away from the water.  Keep on this track until you reach Reynold’s Drove on your left.  Watch out around here for red kites and buzzards.  Follow the loose tarmac pathway until you reach a bridge on your right and go over the bridge. 

Yellow hammer 

The track now reverts back to grass.  Carry straight on, bearing left and then right onto more of a farm track (this can be quite muddy in wet weather).  Go past the small pond on your left and follow until you reach the main road.

Take a right onto the main road and walk along the verge if possible (no path on this section) until you reach Rampton village.  Once into the village follow the footpath along the High Street, past The Black Horse pub on your left, past the small village green then the pond on your right until you are back at the village hall.

Our route was: 3.6 miles
See the route on Mapometer.com
Terrain: Flat. Grass and farm tracks, loose tarmac, road, path (can be muddy in wet weather)
Habitat: Waterways, farmland, meadowland.

Facilities: Parking at Village Hall; refreshments at The Black Horse Public House