Soham Lode and the old Soham Mere: Great Drove return

Start at the northern entrance to Fountain Lane public car park in Soham. This return walk follows the lode out of town towards Great Drove, with wide views over farmland that was once the bed of Soham Mere. Allow about two hours ten minutes for the grassy banks, bridge steps, gates and brief wildlife stops.

Walk west along Fountain Lane and Station Road towards Soham station. Use the pavement across the Mereside junction and the signed stepped footbridge over the railway, then follow the path south to the lode. Turn north beside the water, passing the open grassland of Angle Common. At Clark's Drove, cross the short road bridge over the lode and turn right straight away onto the west-bank path. Keep to this bank, passing the next farm approaches, until the path reaches the Great Drove bridge. Turn here and retrace the same route to the car park.

The route is mainly level, with uneven grass, mud after rain and unfenced water along the banks. The railway is crossed on a footbridge; there is no level crossing on this walk. Watch for farm vehicles at Clark's Drove and at the other access tracks, and keep dogs close around livestock. This is not a step-free walk. Do not continue onto private farm drives or cross fields to make a shortcut.

Fountain Lane parking is free and opens from 6am to 5.30pm, so return before the gate closes and check the signs. The car park has public toilets, currently open 7.45am to 5pm. Shops, cafes and St Andrew's Church are close to the start.

Route and access information: Cambridgeshire Geological Society's April 2026 Wicken to Soham Fen Edge Trail guide, using its Soham-to-Great-Drove section in reverse and returning, together with East Cambridgeshire District Council visitor information. Checked October 2026.