Houghton Mill, St Ives and the Hemingfords

A level Great Ouse circuit linking Houghton’s working watermill, the old town of St Ives and the riverside villages of Hemingford Grey and Hemingford Abbots. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes for walking and brief pauses, with extra time for any museum, mill or cafe visit.

Start at the entrance to the National Trust car park beside Houghton Mill. Cross the car park on the public footpath, leave through the eastern gate and turn right along Love Lane. At its eastern end turn left to Thicket Road, then follow the road east as it becomes the shared Thicket path. Continue into St Ives beside All Saints’ church, follow the churchyard path to the Waits, and pass the Norris Museum. Continue along the Broadway, take Merryland at the Victoria Memorial and turn right down Bridge Street to cross the medieval bridge with its chapel.

On the far bank, use the public footpath through the Dolphin grounds and out across Hemingford Meadow. Follow the diagonal meadow path to Meadow Lane and continue to its bend at Mill Lane. Go straight ahead along the narrow Love Lane footpath to Church Street, then turn right towards Hemingford Grey church. The path beside the churchyard leads west along the riverbank. Follow it past the end of High Street, across the riverside fields and into Hemingford Abbots. Turn right along High Street, continue past the Axe and Compass onto Common Lane, then turn right into Meadow Lane. Cross Black Bridge and follow the surfaced path across the meadow to Houghton Lock. Cross the lock bridge and pass through the mill’s public passage to return to the car park.

Expect a mix of tarmac, narrow village paths and grass meadow paths, with gates and a stile. The water meadows flood regularly: postpone this circuit if paths are submerged and check local notices before leaving. Grass sections can be muddy after rain and river edges are unguarded. Watch for cyclists on the Thicket path, vehicles on village lanes and slippery bridge surfaces. Keep dogs on leads throughout.

Houghton Mill has toilets and a tea-room, with further refreshments in St Ives and the Hemingfords. The National Trust car park is charged for non-members; the current tariff is £3.50 for up to three hours or £7 for longer. Members should scan their card. October opening currently shows 8.30am to 4pm, so check the day’s closing time and return in good time. Mill admission and any other attraction visit are separate.

Route information checked against the National Trust’s St Ives and the Hemingfords trail and Hemingford Abbots Parish Council’s public path information.