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

Houghton Mill and Houghton Meadows walk

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.

Total steps: 12

Total steps: 12

Start point

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

Step 1

From Houghton Mill head towards the tea-room and along the river past the car park and campsite and through a gate at the end of the field.

View of Houghton Mill looking back from the gate at point 1 of Houghton Meadows walk.
Looking back from the gate to Houghton Mill. | © A. Carter

Step 2

Go across the first field and over a small bridge.

Step 3

Continue on and cross a bridge to your right.

Step 4

Cross a further two bridges, the second of which goes over the back stream weir from the Ouse.

View of what remains of the old railway viaduct at step 4 of Houghton Meadows walk.
All that remains of old railway viaduct | © A. Carter

Step 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 on the Houghton Meadows walk
View across Houghton Meadows | © A. Carter

Step 6

Continue across the fields with the river to your right until you come to a large weir.

Step 7

Continue along the riverside until you reach the Trout Stream, follow the path around to the left.

View of Hemingford Grey on the Houghton Meadows walk
View of Hemingford Grey | © A. Carter

Step 8

Continue around the meadow keeping the stream to your right until you come to a gate and a bridge.

View across the stream at step 8 on the Houghton Meadows walk
A Hemingford backwater | © A. Carter

Step 9

Head down the lane until you come to a pump house opposite a road.

View of old railway embankment on Houghton Meadows walk
View along the lane from the top of old railway embankment. | © A. Carter

Step 10

Turn left down Thicket Road until you reach the large gates of The Elms.

Step 11

At the gates turn left and immediately right down a footpath enclosed on both sides.

Love Lane on the Houghton Meadows walk leading back to Houghton Mill.
Love Lane | © A. Carter

Step 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
Map route for Houghton Meadows walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Get in touch

Mill Street, Houghton, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 2AZ

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