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The south front of Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire, seen across the park
Explore the history of Wimpole on this archaeology walk | © National Trust Images / Andrew Butler
Cambridgeshire

Wimpole archaeology walk

This walk is about 1 mile and is mainly on flat ground; it takes about an hour to complete, and most of the land you will be walking on is now scheduled as an Ancient Monument.

Planning your walk

Don't forget to bring your National Trust membership card to access the Parkland at Wimpole.

Total steps: 12

Total steps: 12

Start point

Wimpole stable block, grid ref: TL336509

Step 1

From the entrance to the stables, turn left, cross the estate road and head through the kissing gate into the field beyond.

Step 2

Bear slightly to your right and continue for approximately 300yd (275m) until you reach a fish pond, surrounded by a fence and a copse.

Step 3

Continue on and immediately south of the pond you will reach the site of Thresham End.

Step 4

Beyond the site of Thresham End, bear right and head towards the right-hand side of a fenced area surrounded by trees. This is My Lady's Pond.

Step 5

Bear slightly to the right and continue to the edge of the field towards a five-bar gate. You will have a good view of the Avenue in front of you.

Step 6

Turn right at the five-bar gate in front of you (but don't go through it) and continue across the Avenue following the fence. Go through a small kissing gate to the right of the small copse ahead.

Step 7

Bear to the right and head for the corner of the small copse ahead of you.

Step 8

Between the area of recent replanting in the copse and the estate road, look to your right at the uneven ground. This is the site of Bennall End, another mediaeval settlement.

Step 9

After passing the copse, continue until reaching the estate road. Stop by the kissing gate and look to your left down the drive to the site of the American military hospital.

Step 10

At this point, turn right and walk along the estate road towards the house.

Step 11

Continue along the estate road and stop by the large oak tree on the right-hand side.

Step 12

Continue until reaching a cattle grid on the lawn in front of the hall, and the remains of an ornamental water garden. After examining these remains continue along the road in front of the hall to the stables, where the walk ends.

End point

Wimpole stable block, grid ref: TL336509

Trail map

Wimpole archaeology walk map
Wimpole archaeology walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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