Hemingford Abbots

 10th February 2022

We drove towards Huntingdon and turned off to Hemingford Abbots, parking at the Axe and Compass which has a sizeable car park and pleasant view of the church. 

St Margaret's Church, in Hemingford Abbots is a Church of England church, dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch. A church has stood on the site since at least 1086, as it is mentioned in the Domesday Record. Parts of the current fabric date from c. 1300. (Wikipedia)

Our walk took us through Hemingford, turning off to cross a meadow towards Houghton Mill (National Trust). We paused to gaze at the Great Ouse, but there was hardly any boat traffic so we crossed at the lock and on the other side took a path heading for St Ives. 

The path was straight through woodland and parallel to the river, popular with dog walkers and runners. Emerging into St Ives we walked through the churchyard of All Saints ... 

and out onto the wharf (where once or twice dear Patience moored up overnight). 

Continuing through St Ives, crossing the ancient bridge with its chapel we rounded the back of The Dolphin conference centre and out onto another water meadow. 

The route across the meadow lead us eventually to the outskirts of Hemingford again with an attractive stroll alongside the river and delightful views of St James Church, Hemingford Grey whose original octagonal spire was blown down in a 1741 hurricane, and Hemingford Manor, said to be the oldest continuously lived in house in England. 

Then it was back to the Axe and Compass for a very pleasant beer and lunch.