Dog-walking trail, Lode, Cambridgeshire
A pleasant short, but varied walk, which includes fine views of Lode Mill, a path through a copse, an ancient watercourse, a short stretch of a long-closed railway line and village houses. Ideal for families.
Please note that dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs) are unfortunately not allowed in the house or gardens at Anglesey Abbey.
Map
Start:
Anglesey Abbey car park, grid ref: TL532622
1
Turn left (north) along the paved path as you leave the Visitor Centre; then follow the footpath as it skirts the left hand side of the Anglesey Abbey car park, with a hedge on your left.
2
At a path junction with a waymark post keep straight ahead between hedges.
3
As you emerge into a grassy paddock turn half left towards a tennis court; pass this on the left hand side and continue past allotments to a T junction of paths
4
At the T junction of paths, turn left, following the narrow path to Lode Mill.
5
Walk past the mill and keeping straight ahead, cross the wooden bridge over the mill race. Follow the signed path in the Quy Fen direction along the field edge path, keeping a copse of trees on your left.
Lode Mill Mill Race
Work has recently been undertaken to repair this Mill Race.
6
Continue on the path ahead as it enters a woodland belt.
7
After about 30 yards you will come to a T junction in the paths. Turn right here, and continue the short distance to the edge of the trees where you meet a major track; this is the former Cambridge to Mildenhall railway line.
Cambridge to Mildenhall line
The single track line opened from Cambridge to Fordham on 2 June 1884 and then to Mildenhall on 1 April 1885. By July 1958 Rail Buses operated the route. The line was closed to passengers on 18 June 1962 and to goods on 13 July 1964 apart from the section from Fordham to Burwell that closed on 19 April 1965.
8
Turn right onto the old railway track which stretches ahead through a large field, and continue to the corner of the field until reaching a metal gate.
9
Don’t go through this gate, but turn right onto a broad field edge path. For a short distance there is a hedge on your left, soon changing to trees screening ancient Quy Water. Follow the path back to the bridge by Lode Mill.
10
Turn left and cross the bridge - there is a very good view from here.
11
Turn left down the lane, into Lode Village bearing right. You'll pass a number of typical Fen edge village cottages.
12
Before reaching a T junction with the main village road, look out for a ‘Public Footpath’ sign on your right. Turn here along a narrow alleyway, which soon opens out to allotments. Continue ahead past the allotments on your right and then a paddock. (The land on your left beyond the hedge is the nursery garden for Anglesey Abbey). Keep straight on, passing to the right of the building ahead, to Abbey Lane.
13
Before reaching Abbey lane, turn right, and after a short distance you will come to a T junction of footpaths.
14
Turn left and follow the path back to the Anglesey Abbey Visitor Centre. You will see the Anglesey Abbey car park on your left.
End:
Anglesey Abbey Car Park