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A three mile linear walk from Cambridge following the towpath known as the Haling Way along the River Cam to Baits Bite Lock and Milton Country Park. The walk is about three miles (four kilometres) long and should take about one and a half hours to walk. There are pubs in Chesterton and Milton and refreshments at Milton Country Park. A 'car-free' walk easily done using public transport.
You may spot a large stately heron standing motionless watching for a fish to appear. The harsh honking 'fraank' call of herons is quite distinctive.
Chesterton Fen is a series of damp grazing fields covered in buttercups in late spring and used by birds, particularly in winter, when you may see Snipe, Redshank, Mallard and Moorhen.
If you are doing this walk at dusk in summer look out for pipistrelle bats hunting for small insects along the river bank.
Roach, Perch, Rudd and Pike all live in the river Cam.
Old pollard willows are one of the most characteristic features of Cambridgeshire's wetland landscape. Pollard willows are know to support interesting wildlife such as Puss Moth, Eyed Hawk Moth and the rare Musk beetle. Willow trees provide nest sites for many birds, including owls and lie up sites for otters. It is important to pollard the trees every 15 years or so to prevent the trees from collapsing.
The park is an area of woodland and grassland with two large lakes and other ponds and ditches. It was farmed until 1930 when sand and gravel for roads and houses was extracted. The site was abandoned from 1960 - 1990 and wildlife has recolonised the area, which opened as a Country Park in 1003. There is now considerable wildlife at the park, in particular birds and dragonflies.
Some of the work at Milton Country Park, and tree planting along the footpath, has been done by volunteers. If you would like to help please see our voluntering section or contact us.
Remember to check bus times before you start!
1. Start in Cambridge on Midsummer Common, keep to the right hand side of the River Cam, go under Elizabeth Walk and through Stourbridge Common. Cross the River Cam using the footbridge. Turn right and continue along Water Street and Fen Road to reach the towpath and the Pike and Eel pub. (Alternatively catch a bus to the Pike and Eel pub in Chesterton).
2. Follow the towpath for about 2 miles to Baits Bite Lock and Fen Road. You will pass Ditton Meadows and Fen Ditton village on the right bank,
3. Turn left and walk along Fen Road, cross the railway line and continue past a few houses until you reach the field gate and pedestrian entrance to Milton Country Park on the right.
4. Follow the path and bear right between the two lakes to reach the visitor centre.
5. Leave Milton Country Park via the car park and main entrance. Walk past the industrial units until you reach the roundabout; the bus stop in on the right.
It is quite possible to do this walk in reverse, by catching a bus to Milton and then walking back to Cambridge.
