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 EARITH (HERMITAGE LOCK)TO STRETHAM (OLD ENGINE)Leave Earith Marina, and turn right on to the A1123. Follow the road as it bends to the right, crossing Earith bridge and head up to a double mini-roundabout. You need to walk a very short way along the B1050 (towards Willingham) to reach the next footpath. So turn right, crossing the roundabouts at a safe point, then walk down the B1050 and look for a sign to your left (roughly opposite Hermitage Lock, the starting point for Vermuyden's Old Bedford River) which points down to a path between two fences. Cross a steeply hump-backed bridge and go over a stile and through a gate to reach the flood bank of the Old West River. Continue along the top of the north bank of the river with the Ouse and the B1050 running alongside on your right. After about 1 mile/1.6 km, the B1050 peels off away to the right, making the walk along the bank much more peaceful and pleasant. Walk on another mile and, after you have passed Flat Bridge on your right, go through the kissing gates and follow the bank as it makes a big sweep around to the left away from the river, and then comes back round to meet the Ouse again just before Haddenham Engine (Pumping Station). The Fens in the distance away to your left are known as Adventurers’ Fen. (See Vermuyden and the Draining of the Fens Continue along the bank, crossing a metal bridge and, just past a little ford and a trig point, you’ll cross a track which cuts right across the Ouse Valley Way and continues across a bridge to your right. This is the ancient Aldreth Causeway where it’s said the Saxon hero Hereward the Wake faced the invading Norman army of William the Conqueror. Continue through the kissing gate and along the north bank of the river for about another 4 miles/6.4 km to the B1049 (Twenty Pence Road) passing Smithey Fen Engine (Pumping Engine) on the opposite bank and follow the river as it winds peacefully through the flat landscape until the peace is broken by the roar of traffic ahead. As you pass the now derelict Australia Farm over to your left, the river takes a turn to the right. Follow the bank past Twenty Pence Cottage where you will reach the B1049 at Twenty Pence Bridge. This road is fast, narrow and dangerous. Drivers coming over the bridge behind you may not see you, so be extremely careful when you cross and walk along it. Turn left and cross the road, go through a metal field gate with a footpath fingerpost. Turn right down this path and go through a small gate. Bear left and follow the path around Twenty Pence Marina's flood bank (not straight along the bank as indicated on the OS map). Cross the stile and follow the path along the north flood bank again towards Stretham and Ely. Continue along the north bank, passing Chear Fen Engine on the opposite bank and head straight for the A10. Go through the kissing gate, climb over the crash barrier, cross the busy A10 with extreme care (visibility is good where you come out on to the road) and turn right. Walk down the verge by the side of the A10 for a short distance until you come to a road on your left, (signposted “The Lazy Otter” pub). This road runs parallel with the A10 and is used as a layby by heavy goods and other vehicles. Walk back up along the road (you’ll effectively be doubling back on yourself with the A10 now behind the trees on your left. Follow the road and as it starts to bend left before the Lazy Otter Pub. Then turn right on to the footpath and back on to the floodbank – this time on the south bank of the river. (To go to The Lazy Otter for food/refreshments etc, continue just a little way up the road before turning off on to the footpath.) Continue along the south bank of the Ouse past the boats, with the Lazy Otter Bank on the other bank, to your left. The river widens and continues to wind its way through the Fens towards Stretham. After about a 1.5 miles/2.4 km you pass by Stretham Old Engine which is well worth a visit. If it is not open, there are information boards outside which tell you more about its history and the history of the draining of the Fens in general. | |||||||||
| This section of the walk ends here. Return to top of page. To continue along the Ouse Valley Way, go to next section: Stretham to Ely | |||||||||
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