Wimpole folly walk, Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
An historical wildlife walk starts from Hardwicke Gate car park and visitor welcome, exploring the diverse landscape of one of the largest estates in Cambridgeshire. Look out for the Chinese Bridge, Wimpole lakes and the Gothic Folly.
Explore the wider parkland and Gothic Folly
Discover the rich history of the land, from the remains of medieval farming to lavish Georgian landscapes. You can also explore the unique contrasts between a historical and modern working estate. Please note, the woodland belts are currently closed. Please follow the diversion signs around the belts on this trail route.
Map
Start:
Hardwicke Gate visitor welcome and car park, grid ref: TL340507
1
Having parked in the car park, head towards Hardwicke Gate and go through the building, then follow the pathway down towards the Stable Block ahead of you. Turn left and join the old estate road through the park passing the Hall on your right and continue along the driveway.
The stable-block
This grand stable-block is where you'll find most of our facilities and is the starting and finishing point to this walk. The stable block was designed by H. E. Kendall and constructed in 1852 . Kendall (1776-1875) worked in the Greek Revival or Tudor Gothic style principally.
2
Head towards the fence, cattle grid and small pedestrian gate. Once through the gate, turn right and follow the grass pathway across the park, note the ridges and furrows in the park on your left - evidence of the plough pulled by oxen used on Wimpole's medieval farmland.
3
With gardens to your right and an avenue of the trees on your left, go straight ahead then meander to the right, circling the slope, following the footpath away from the hall across the field. Keep walking until you reach the ha-ha and iron bridge. Bear left and head towards the lakes until you reach the Chinese Bridge.
Wimpole lakes
Home to carp, rud, pike, tench, stickleback and the occasional eel, these lakes at the foot of Johnson's hill have been used and loved by generations. They're also suitably placed for cattle and sheep to use them as their watering hole.
4
Cross over the Chinese Bridge and keep going up the hill until you reach the Folly. Then with the folly in front of you turn left and down the hill heading towards the gate at the far side of the field.
Folly
These gothic ruins, also known as sham ruins, were made purposefully to create a spectacular view from the Hall in 1768. They are just as stunning close up and stand as a unique portrayal of 18th-century style and fashion.
5
Walk straight through the farmland on the grass path into the Woodland belt; Follow the path into the woods and then turn left. Keep walking and after the path has eventually meandered around to the right, a fork in the footpath will appear; take the left turning. Continue through the woods on the same pathway.
Woodland belts
These woodland belts were designed by Lancelot Capability Brown as a frame for the gardens. There are a number of wildlife habitats, home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Check out the boards placed around the belts with seasonal information.
6
You will join the multi- trail through this part of the route, as this trail takes a right turn out of the woods, take the left pathway through a kissing gate into open parkland. Turn right, head up the hill and go through the kissing gate across the sunken ha ha. Ahead of you to the left is the medieval mill mound. Follow the avenue beside the wood.
7
Look out for an avenue of Lime trees to the left leading down to the parterre garden. Follow this pathway down the hill toward the hall. At the bottom bear right, back the way you came.
Wimpole Hall
Following centuries of remodelling and design, now stands the grand hall you see before you. Rich in history and aesthetic beauty, this stunning home was, and still is, the heart of this working estate.
End:
Hardwicke Gate visitor welcome and car park, grid ref: TL340507
