Cycle from Cambridge to Anglesey Abbey
Cycle from the centre of Cambridge via Bottisham towards Angelsey Abbey via National Cycle Network (NCN) routes 11 and 51. The route follows the River Cam through the city; past punts and rowing boats and through open green spaces including Jesus Green, Midsummer Common, Stourbridge Common and Ditton Meadows.
Start point
Midsummer Common, off A1134, Victoria Avenue/Maids Causeway, Cambridge CB5 8DJ.Trail information
Difficulty
EasyFull trail
DistanceMiles: 7 (km: 11.2)Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Midsummer Common, off A1134, Victoria Avenue/Maids Causeway, Cambridge CB5 8DJ.
Stage 1
Starting in the heart of Cambridge, follow National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 11 along the bank of the River Cam away from the city centre, through Jesus Green and Midsummer Common. This route is very well signposted. Should you need them, there are public conveniences near the lock on Jesus Green.
Stage 2
Shortly after leaving Midsummer Common you will pass the Cambridge Museum of Technology on your right, housed in an old pumping station. Follow the signs for NCN Route 11 along the river and out of the city to Stourbridge Common. In Stourbridge Common you will come to a bridge over the River Cam (where NCN Route 11 turns left over the river towards Waterbeach and NCN Route 51 begins). Do not cross the bridge. Follow NCN Route 51 towards Bottesham and continue along by the river to Ditton Meadows.
Cambridge Museum of Technology | © Martin Berry Stage 3
In the middle of Ditton Common, follow the NCN Route 51 signs to the right as it heads away from the river before turning left to follow the edge of the common. You'll then pass though some open land before crossing the B1047 and into Fison Road. Follow NCN 51 along Fison Road and into Thorpe Way and then take the first turn on the left into Tiptree Close. NCN 51 emerges from Tiptree Close and heads towards Newmarket Road Park and Ride.
Ditton Meadows | © Martin Berry Stage 4
Follow the NCN Route 51 signs around the Newmarket Road Park and Ride and out to the main road. Turn left and follow the cycleway that runs alongside the A1303.
Stage 5
After some distance, follow NCN route 51 signs to the left along a track that leads past some farm buildings. Follow this track to pass safely under the A14 and then turn sharp right along a narrow road towards Stow-cum-Quy.
Stage 6
Having turned right out of the underpass, cycle up a gentle incline before turning sharp right to face St Mary's Church on the other side of Church Road. Here you can choose to take a slightly shorter route along a busy road through Stow-cum-Quy, or a slightly longer route on a cycle path and a quiet minor road. For the shorter route, turn left here and cycle through Stow-cum-Quy on Church Road. For the quieter route (shown on the map) cross Church Road and follow NCN 51 past St Mary's Church (with the church on your left).
Stage 7
Continue on NCN 51 until you come to the Missing Sock pub. Turn left here onto Albert Road and follow this road into Stow-cum-Quy.
Stage 8
The shorter and longer routes meet at a crossroads. If you took the shorter (busier) route through Stow-cum-Quy, cycle straight through these crossroads staying on the B1102. If you took the slightly longer but quieter route via the Missing Sock pub, you need to turn right at these crossroads onto Colliers Lane (B1102). Shortly after the crossroads, you will find a new cycle way on the right running parallel with Colliers Lane (B1102). Follow this cycleway to the end.
Stage 9
The cycleway ends at the entrance of Anglesey Abbey. If you have the energy for a longer ride, you could follow the 8-mile route along the Lodes Way to the National Trust Nature Reserve at Wicken Fen. Or, after a refreshment stop at Anglesey Abbey, you could head back the way you came and return to central Cambridge.
End point
Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ.
Trail map
Cambridge to Anglesey Abbey cycle route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Lode dog-walking trail from Anglesey Abbey
A 2-mile dog and family friendly walk exploring the countryside near Anglesey Abbey and nearby village of Lode.
Beyond Anglesey Abbey walk
A 4.6-mile family friendly walk along footpaths among the flat, Cambridgeshire fenland landscapes taking in waterways, Lode Mill and the villages of Stow-cum-Quy and Lode.
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