Bluebells, villages and more

A walk (about 6 miles) for late April and early May in particular. Stunning display of bluebells in Quendon Woods.

Map
Explorer 195 GR 498315
Getting There
Take the B1383 (formerly All) to Newport, and turn right along the B 103 8 towards Clavering and Buntingford. At the far end of Wicken Bonhunt turn left up Ricking Road and, at T-junction turn left, and shortly afterwards park on the left in front of the lovely church.

The Walk

Generally good underfoot. Signage variable!

Continue southward on the main road towards Ricking Green, ignore first footpath sign to left (soon after cottages), and go to the second signpost on the left, which has two arms. Take the path at right angles to the road, not the one going diagonally across the field.

At next hedge, dive through and over ditch (no bridge!), and go straight ahead, to reach cross-path. Turn right, and soon reach minor road: turn left. After last house on right, turn right, with hedge on the right, and head towards large bams, at Ricking Hall.

Pass between the barns, and turn sharp left along farm track. After about 600 yards you reach wood on right and the finger-post pointing half left. Take this path, and head to gap in far left hedge. Walk on edge of wood, and bear right along wood edge, to emerge on to road.

Turn left, walk on, passing finger post to right, to reach Orchard Cottage. Soon after, finger post to right indicates path south-eastwards towards wood. On wood edge a stile leads to path into wood (some bluebells) and emerges onto B1383 opposite Chequers Inn (Tel. 01799 540387).

Take minor road at side of the pub, and at the end of the cottages on the left, turn left across field, heading diagonally towards right hand edge of woods now in view. Pass under huge power cables, over fence, and on to stile at wood edge.

Go forward on this wood edge path for about a mile, with bluebell, woods to your left, and at the end of this wood turn left along wood edge, before bearing half right towards Quendon Church, with enormous weather cock atop. On reaching the road, turn right, and then left near ex-pub to join footpath taking into open country.

Continue along this main path, going ahead at junction, and emerge on to the road you started out on. Turn right, to find your car.

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 April 2006