Cambridgeshire

Houghton Mill and Houghton Meadows walk

View across river and meadows — Peaceful views across the meadows near Houghton Mill | © National Trust/Phil O'Donoughe

A short, circular walk, ideal for bringing the dog along. Starting at Houghton Mill you'll be passing the remains of the old Huntingdon branch line viaduct and around the unspoiled and tranquil water meadows with wonderful views across to the Hemingfords.

Near to

Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows

Start point

Houghton Mill, Mill St, Houghton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 2AZ

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)

Duration1 hour 15 mins

Dog friendly**

*A short easy walk. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs are welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Houghton Mill, Mill St, Houghton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 2AZ
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Nearest station is in Huntingdon. Contact Cambridgeshire County Council's Public Transport Section for details: (01223) 717740
On foot
On the Ouse Valley Way.
By bus
Bus station in St Ives and the Huntingdon - St. Ives bus service regularly stops at Houghton.
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 51 between Huntingdon and St Ives.
National Cycle Network
By road
National Trust pay and display car park (free for members) at Houghton Mill. Follow brown signs from A1123
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Houghton Mill, Mill St, Houghton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 2AZ
Stage 1
From the car park, walk to the left of the tea-room, continue down the path with the river on your right and go through a gate.
Looking back from the gate to Houghton Mill. | © A. Carter
Stage 2
Go across the first field and over a small bridge.
Stage 3
Continue on and cross a bridge to your right.
Stage 4
Cross a further two bridges, the second of which goes over the back stream weir from the Ouse.
All that remains of old railway viaduct | © A. Carter
Stage 5
Follow the river through two fields and to another bridge. You can shorten your walk by turning left after crossing this bridge and following the green route to point 8 at the Trout Stream Bridge.
View across Houghton Meadows | © A. Carter
Stage 6
Continue across the fields with the river to your right until you come to a large weir.
Stage 7
Continue along the riverside until you reach the Trout Stream, follow the path around to the left.
View of Hemingford Grey | © A. Carter
Stage 8
Continue around the meadow keeping the stream to your right until you come to a gate and a bridge.
A Hemingford backwater | © A. Carter
Stage 9
Head down the lane until you come to a pump house opposite a road.
View along the lane from the top of old railway embankment. | © A. Carter
Stage 10
Turn left down Thicket Road until you reach the large gates of The Elms.
Stage 11
At the gates turn left and immediately right down a footpath enclosed on both sides.
Love Lane | © A. Carter
Stage 12
Continue down the path until you come to a gate on your left. Go through the gate and bear right to return to Houghton Mill.
End point
Houghton Mill, Mill St, Houghton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 2AZ
Trail map
Map route for Houghton Meadows walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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A view of Houghton Mill across the river in winter, Cambridgeshire

Trail

St Ives and the Hemingfords walk

Discover unspoiled villages and an old market town, alongside water meadows and the delightful Ouse valley landscape, on the St Ives and The Hemingfords walk.