This pleasant stroll starts by walking through Priory Country Park which was developed after the gravel pits were decommissioned.
There are several ways through the 300 acre park with some paths skirting the lakes to hides where you can watch birds prospering from the newly formed habitat. If you are pressed for time, or want to pretend you are a train, you could take the most direct route along the former railway track to Cambridge.
The route takes you into the former Grange Estate that was owned by Bryant & May and used to produce wood for matchsticks. At this point there is a short detour to Willington where there is an impressive Dovecote and other buildings now managed by the National Trust.
Further on the route passes under a bridge to a new quarry.
It’s not great to look at but perhaps comforting that today’s desolate landscape could be made into tomorrow’s wildlife reserve.
The route continues past Willington Lake and then along the Great Ouse up to the suitably sturdy bridge at Great Barford.
Great Barford is a popular place for paddling - mainly upstream as 200 meters downstream is a weir (and sewage works). The village also has a friendly pub close to the bridge.
Next leg: Great Barford to St Neots
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