The Icknield Way - Linton to Herringswell ~ Test Griff Walks

The Icknield Way - Linton to Herringswell

A 27 mile walk along the Icknield Way between Linton and Herringswell

This section has some idyllic scenes that would fit a picture postcard of typical England. Fields of gently waving barley sweeping gently across rolling hills under deep blue skies, old pubs by the side of village greens, babblng brooks and streams and villages full of thatched cottages.

Essential Information

Walk Statistics:

Start point: Hinton View in OS Map | View in Google Map

End Point: Woods south of Herringswell View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Total Walk distance: 27 miles

Walk difficulty: Easy

Maps:

OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 209 Cambridge
OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 210 Newmarket & Haverhill

OS Route Map: Available here

Google Route Map: Available here

GPX file for walk: Available here

Accommodation:

Herringswell Woodland
Location: View in OS Map | View in Google Map
Wild camp in woods south of Herringswell

Walk Data

Date of Walk: 2009-06-22
Start Time: 08:30:00
End time: 21:30:00
Walkers: Griffmonster
Weather Conditions: Clear blue summer skies, hot
Equipment: None

Walk Notes ToC

From the research done in the weeks prior to setting out on the Icknield Way I had come to the conclusion that I would need to wild camp on this section. Therefore, I started out the day in leisurely mood without any clear destination and with the idea of just getting as far as I got! After a good mornings walk I stopped off at the Bull at Burrough Green and it was such a pleasant experience sitting there in the sun that I spent a full hour lazing there. This set the trend for the day, stopping off at The Marquis of Granby in Stetchworth to sit and watch the world go by, then lazing on the green at Cheveley before continuing with pub stops at Ashley, Dulham and Gazeley. The most dissappointing part of the pub crawl was the fact that all the inns apart from the Affleck Arms at Dulham were Greene King houses. This brewery appears to have a virtual monopoly in the area. The Affleck Arms was a real treat though, this is just off route but well worth searching out and I thoroughly recommend it. Excellent ale, excellent company and excellent old pub.

This was the day of the kissing gate - the previous day had been all styles and now it was all kissing gates. There was some excellent scenes to view, scenes which portrayed typical English countryside, fields of gently waving barley sweeping gently across rolling hills under deep blue skies, old pubs by the side of village greens, babblng brooks and streams and villages full of thatched cottages. This truely was the heart of England. A lot of these villages, I would assume, are full of folk connected to the racing industry in Newmarket. In parts, there were field upon field sectioned into neat paddocks. There was a lot of money in these parts.

Maybe it was the fact that I was having constant stops and refreshment but by the end of the day I had covered well over 25 miles and was still feeling as fresh as a daisey. The only reason I stopped was due to the failing evening light. I had started looking for suitable places to pitch from Dulham onwards. As I walked through the woods near Herringswell it seemed a quite appropriate place, out of the way and with enough cover to disguise my stopover. I waited for a dog walker to get out of sight before nipping into the woodland and springing up the tent. Once cleared of the fallen twigs and bracnhes I found the ground to be very soft and comfortable, in fact I would say you could not have got a better bedding to sleep upon. No sooner had I pitched than the light was gone and it was pitch black. I couldnt see a thing in the tent, I have never known such complete darkness. I attempted to get to sleep but there is always the nagging feeling that I may get disturbed from some angry land owner. An animal came and sniffed at the tent then went away. Then I heard distant barking and then another bark that was closer called back. This continued every few seconds. At first I thought it was dogs from the nearby village but it was soon quite apparant that the noises were emanating from the forest. I convinced myself that this country does not have wolves or any other nasty creatures that eat humans and tried to ignore the noise. It carried on until I eventually drifted into sleep. Later, on my expeditions, I was informed that the barking was muntjac deer - they sound the same as a dogs bark and it is quite common to hear them calling to each other in woodland.

On the left On the left, Meal deals at the Marquis of Granby in Stetworth. On the right, the former malting kiln at Dalham ; On the right On the left, Meal deals at the Marquis of Granby in Stetworth. On the right, the former malting kiln at Dalham

Directions ToC

From Linton High Street turn down Meadow Lane on the left as the High Street bears to the right. After 150 yards there will be a waymarker on the right, follow this through the built up area and finally the path will lead up the hill to the water tower from where a good view of Linton is to be had. The trail now leads via a roman road through to Balsham where there is an Icknield Way milestone declaring 'Peddars Way 43 miles' and 'Ridgeway 63 miles'. A broad farm track now leads to Willingham Green and down into Brinkley from where a path across the fields takes you to Burrough Green. The path continues down by the side of the Bull public house, this leads across a series of paddocked fields through to Stetchworth. Walk along the road into the village and the path is located opposite the Marquis of Granby public house and leads across a housing estate road and down the back of a series of houses before going downhill to Devils Dyke. Continue following the paths through some very typical english contryside and paddocks, past Woodditton, through Cheveley and onto Ashley. Follow the Gazeley road out of Ashley downhill to where it meets the river Kennet, turn right and walk through the meadows to Dalham. At Dalham village turn left and head for the church. A path turns right and leads through woodland and across fields to Gazeley where it follows road out of the village towards the A14. There is a path through the fields just prior to reaching the A14 but this rejoins the road to go under the dual carriageway. There is an industrial area on the left, walk through this and a track then leads up through woodland towards Herringswell.

Via Devana - The Roman Road to Chester

Pubs ToC

The Bull
The Green, Burrough Green View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Website: www.burroughgreen.com/Pub/pub_home.htm

Lovely little village pub set back from the road just off from the village green serving Greene King ales. There is a garden in front of the pub. Food served.

Review

Sitting on the benches in front of the pub watching the world go by was most excellent waste of an hour. Had a pint of Greene Kings Delgardos Heros, a one-off brew to mark the occasion of the rugby world cup.

The Marquis of Granby
High Street, Stetchworth View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Greene King pub on the junction of the main roads through Stetchworth. Home cooked food.

Review

I arrived as the pub was about to close. The A-board outside advertised Belly Pork with Potatoes and Veg plus a beer for £6 - had I been earlier I would have certainly gone for this excellent deal.

The Crown
Newmarket Road, Ashley View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Website: www.ashleyvillage.org.uk/crown.htm

This pub dates from at least the 1700's when records show that it was owned by a James Langley. In 1866 it was put to auction with the details recorded as a newly erected brick, stone and tile built carriage house, a loose box, stabling for six horses, a small barn, a cart lodge and a range of piggeries plus a small yard. The property finally passed to Greene King ownership in 1890 to which it has remained ever since.

Review

When I entered the pub I appeared to be the only person over 5ft tall. It then dawned upon me that the this was close to Newmarket and was probably a popular haunt for jockeys. Standard Greene King ales.

The Affleck Arms
Brookside, Dalham View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Website: dalham.com/new/?page_id=88

Charming thatched village pub dating from the 16th century. The pub's name is derived from the Affleck family whom owned the estate that it was built upon. Formerly a Greene King house, the pub is now free of tie and regularly has four guest ales on offer. Accommodation and food available. Reputedly haunted by a Grey Lady.

Review

Very friendly and popular and both the choice of ale and the ale itself was most excellent. IT wasnt long before conversatio sparked up and it soon became apparant that I had missed out on an available room by a mere hour. Well worth searching out and highly recommended.

The Chequers, Gazeley View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Website: www.thechequersgazeley.co.uk/

Village pub said to date from the 16th century with an interesting pub sign. Green King ales. Food available.

Review

On entering the pub I felt distinctly out of place. That moment when all eyes focus on the stranger walking through the door. I was served with minimal conversation. All eyes kept a cautious focus on me, the stranger. I supped up quickly and made my way.

On the left On the left, Basham village green. On the right, Icknield Way milestone - 43 miles to the Peddars Way, 63 miles to the Ridgeway.; On the right On the left, Basham village green. On the right, Icknield Way milestone - 43 miles to the Peddars Way, 63 miles to the Ridgeway.

Features ToC

Via Devana View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Between Hinton and Balsham the Icknield Way joins a short section of Via Devana, an old Roman Road linking Colchester with Chester. The name Via Devana was coined in 1750 by Charles Mason, a Cambridge geology professor. The name reflects the Roman name for Chester, Deva. An information board details the natural flora and fauna along this section.

Balsham View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Originally settled during Saxon times, the village of Balsham was totally destroyed by Viking raiders in 1010. A sign on the village green commemorates the sole survivor of the attack who escaped by hiding in the parish church. The church of The Holy Trinity is an impressive building, the bell tower dates from the 13th century, whilst the chancel dates from the early 14th century.

Devils Ditch (Devils Dyke) View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Devil's Dyke is generally assumed to be an Anglo-Saxon earthwork which starts on flat farmland and then passes to the west of Newmarket and runs along the edge of the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse before rising gently to an altitude of 100m as it reaches the wooded hills around Woodditton. It crosses the Icknield Way just to the northeast of Stetchworth. In places it is 20 feet wide and 30 feet deep and is thought to have been used to demarcate the boundary of a tribe's influence as well as a barrier to the British tribes to the west.

Dalham View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Dalham is a pretty liitle village full of thatched cottages that sits on the River Kennet. Dalham Malting Kiln is a curious feature sitting on the roadside in Dalham. The former malting kiln is listed in the Register of Historic Buildings and was built in the early Victorian era. There is an inscription on one of the hand-made bricks which reads 'J.D 1846', though it may have been constructed significantly earlier than this as the Enclosure Map of 1820 indicates it was then owned by William Ruffell, who also built and owned the windmill on Stores Hill. Dalham Hall is a Grade 2 listed country house and 33000-acre estate. There is no recorded date as to when the Hall was first constructed though there are records dating back to 1313. Thomas Stuteville bought the estate in 1417, when it is presumed that he rebuilt the house and his family occupied the residence until it was bought by Gilbert Dolben in 1697. There have been numerous other owneres including Cecil Rhodes, although he passed away before taking residence. The hall and its associated stud are currently owned by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The impressive Church of The Holy Trinity at Basham

Links and Bibliography ToC

External Information:

Icknield Way Website and Official Guide Book

Images ToC

Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. There are links to the entire photo album plus a slideshow of all the images. Feel free to browse through these or click on any image to view a larger version in the Gallery.

View complete photo album

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