Ouse Valley Way - Houghton to St Ives

A circular walk from Houghton to St Ives using the Ouse Valley Way.
A simple and easy riverside walk following the course of the River Ouse. The walk uses the Ouse Valley Way to St Ives, returning via the picturesque Hemingford villages, full of thatched cottages and world charm. There's plenty of pubs, there's river locks, there's the iconic mill at Houghton which makes this a well worthwhile wander. Make a whole day of it and take in the sights and sounds and, of course, the quintessential English pubs.

Technical sheet

44330946
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.78 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 6 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 17 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6 m

Photos

Description de la randonnée

Start: The Clock Tower, centre of Houghton village (PE28 2BD) Grid ref. TL 281 722

(S/E) From the centre of Houghton village take Thicket Lane East which leads off the square by the Three Horseshoes pub. Keep to this ignoring all side turns. At the point where it meets Meadow Lane, the route chicanes across therefore keep heading in the same general direction.

(1) The Lane turns to a path that leads through Thicket Wood, borders the river then continues onto All Saints Church as it enters St Ives.

Walk into the churchyard and follow the path around the right hand side of the church, passing through the iron gates that lead out onto The Waits. The road branches here with Crown Street to the left and Merryland to the right. These roads run parallel and both junction with Bridge Street some 300 yards onwards.

(2) Turn right onto Bridge Street continue across the bridge and past the Dolphin Hotel on the right, beyond which is a footpath that leads onto the meadows behind the hotel. The path cuts across the meadow and then follows a tree lined ditch and out onto Meadow Lane which is no more than a single lane track before becoming a wider metalled road through housing. At the end of this road, where it meets Mill Lane, a footpath leads straight ahead.

(3) This is Love Lane and leads through to Church Street. Turn right onto Church Street and continue down to the church where a footpath leads off to the left, following the river bank. Alternatively, take the first left from Church Street onto Church Lane. At the end of this road, on the left where it junctions with High Street is the Cock pub.

(4) Turn right onto High Street and follow the road down to the river where it meets the footpath along the river bank. Eventually, it meets a grassed field where the path cuts across to emerge out onto High Street in Hemingford Abbots.

(5) Turn right and follow the High Street through the village. The road continues as Common Lane just past the Axe and Compass pub. Keep to this for approx 600 yards until Meadow Lane leads off on the right. Take this, cross the river bridge and follow the path to Houghton Locks.

(6) Cross the bridge and follow the path around to the mill, through the mill walkway and out onto th road that leads into the campsite. Continue down Mill Lane to return back to the starting point at the village square. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 12 m - The Clock Tower, centre of Houghton village
  2. 1 : km 1.41 - alt. 15 m - Path through Thicket Wood
  3. 2 : km 3.46 - alt. 14 m - Bridge Street - Right
  4. 3 : km 5.55 - alt. 12 m - Love Lane
  5. 4 : km 6.13 - alt. 12 m - High Street
  6. 5 : km 6.95 - alt. 12 m - High Street in Hemingford Abbots
  7. 6 : km 8.39 - alt. 11 m - Houghton Locks - Bridge
  8. S/E : km 8.78 - alt. 12 m - The Clock Tower, centre of Houghton village

Practical information

Start: The Clock Tower, centre of Houghton village (PE28 2BD) Grid ref. TL 281 722

Accommodation : Houghton Mill Campsite

Refreshments :
The Cock, Hemingford Grey
Axe and Compass, Hemingford Abbots
Three Horseshoes Inn, Houghton

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

In the nearby area

Houghton Mill

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.