Stapleford and Copley Hill

Another good winter walk, without going too far; in February there should be aconites and snowdrops in Wandlebury.The walk described might take about 2½ hours to complete. The going should not be too muddy, but strong shoes are advised. There are many variations to this walk, allowing for changes in weather and energy

Park/Start
In Stapleford, at right angle bend, where Bury Road becomes Haverhill Road: park carefully in Greenfield Close. Map Explorer 209, GR 476516

The Walk
Go through the yard of Bury Farm, with finger post indicating 2½ m to both Babraham and Sawston. Good track; pass black barn, and keeping link fence on right; cross stile on right to cross corner of field, and cross bridge over River Granta.

After about 400 yards turn left through metal kissing gate, and then after another 400 yards or so turn left at grassy cross roads (currently no waymark), to head towards stand of high, mature trees. Bear right of these trees over a bridge, and then follow good field edge path, with hedge to left, to emerge on to the Babraham/Linton Road.

Turn right, and walk on the grass verge, crossing the road to head up track between cottages. Squeeze past gate, and continue up Copley Hill (ancient earthworks), to turn left at Roman Road. Go down hill, and after about half a mile see two turns to the left.

Take second left, with metal finger post, into an avenue of trees. At the end of the avenue, turn right in front of a cottage in the wood, and then shortly bear right through the woods, and follow the track up a rise. Shortly after two benches looking out over open ground to the left, turn sharp right through the wood towards another raised bench looking over the golf course (on a clear day you can see Ely Cathedral in the distance). Turn left.

Continue on this track bearing to the right, with open pasture to the left, a strip of woodland and the golf course to the right. This track then turns sharp left, and after a short distance swings to the right. Turn right at a fork, with the Wandlebury Ring to the left, bear left after post 2 and on meeting the tarmac path, turn right through the car park, and head to the Babraham Road.

Cross the road, and re-enter the Magog dog run through a gate. Up rise to the right, and then go half left through gate onto the open downland. Keep on this diagonal, passing waymark post, then through woodland to reach the Haverhill Road. Turn left, and retrace steps to the corner where you started.

Neither the author nor his dog accept any responsibility for accuracy or for any injury or mishap that might befall any person who follows this walk. First published by "one man and his dog" in Great Shelford Village News December 2006