Cambridge to Grantchester
A moderate walk (riverside) in Cambridgeshire, England, about 10.20km (6.34 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 2:45h. It is suitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
24m (78ft)
Descent
23m (75ft)
Max. Elevation
20m (65ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
47m (153ft)
Start & End
Drummer Street Bus Station
Distance
10.20km
(6.34mi)
(6.34mi)
Duration
~2:45h
Difficulty
Moderate
Ordnance Survey Map
Created by Anonymous Walker on 28 May 2014
This is an easy walk, flat all the way, with little town walking involved. Estimate 2.5 hours for it, though you can shorten it and leave out the Grantchester Meadows leg, which would be a pity. Few tourists have the time to discover the commons or wild parts around Cambridge, but the small city is surrounded by them and explains why cycling and walking are favourite modes of transport.
Walk Functions
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid TL452584
Situated on the edge of Christ's Pieces, beside Christ's College, one of the 30 plus colleges that make up the University of Cambridge. Sit down in Christ's Pieces for a picnic and to watch the world go by.
OS Grid TL453586
Having walked through Christ's Pieces, now you are at a junction with a road, once famous for the 'King Street Run', as it had many pubs where you had to have a pint in each. St Radegund's pub is the smallest, on your right.
About 0.24 km (~0.15 miles) from 
OS Grid TL453587
Having crossed the road, you can either go left and wander around the grounds of Jesus College, the oldest college building, once a convent, or go right and round the corner on Victoria Avenue.
About 0.10 km (~0.06 miles) from 
OS Grid TL454589
Walking across Jesus Green to the River Cam, enjoy the trees, the great skate-boarding. Feed the ducks on the culvert, watch the punts on the river. Walk west along the river past the Lido and the tennis courts.
About 0.19 km (~0.12 miles) from 
OS Grid TL448591
Here, you walk alongside the river on a boardwalk opposite Magdalene College to get to Bridge Street, at Magdalene Street bridge. Here you turn left on a busy tourist street for maybe 300 metres.
About 0.61 km (~0.38 miles) from 
OS Grid TL447589
You can hire a punt here, if you feel adventurous.
About 0.22 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid TL448588
Here you turn right to go into St John's Street, Trinity Street and King's Parade, passing by several colleges on the way. At the end of this busy pedestrian area, there is a tiny church, St Botolph's, where you walk past and cross the road at Fitzbillies.
About 0.22 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid TL448581
Cross Trumpington Street at the crossing and go down Mill Lane to the River Cam again, where you will see many more punts on the river.
About 0.67 km (~0.42 miles) from 
OS Grid TL446580
Cross the river to go on to the wild area that is Laundress Green, where Red Poll cattle graze. The house by the millpool opposite was the childhood home of Gwen Raverat, a descendent of Darwin .
About 0.17 km (~0.11 miles) from 
OS Grid TL446576
Cross the road here from Laundress Green to Sheep's Green
About 0.38 km (~0.24 miles) from 
OS Grid TL446573
At the far southern edge of this carpark is the entrance to Grantchester meadows, an open stretch of meadow, which used to be left flooded in winter to allow 'fen-skating'.
About 0.32 km (~0.2 miles) from 
OS Grid TL434556
The walk from the carpark to the pubs at Grantchester is quite a bit longer than other stages, it can be quite exposed in places on hot sunny days, but you have a choice of paths across it, ending in the same place.
About 2.05 km (~1.27 miles) from 
OS Grid TL444576
Cross the road here and find pass by some tiny streets on your way up to Newnham colldge
About 2.20 km (~1.37 miles) from 
OS Grid TL443578
Turn left, then right to walk through the modern college buildings here
About 0.28 km (~0.17 miles) from 
OS Grid TL441581
Turn slightly to your left to enter the grounds of West Road library and walk to the end.
About 0.34 km (~0.21 miles) from 
OS Grid TL441584
Turn right here after the library on your left and Clare College on your right. Walk down to the main ring road.
About 0.34 km (~0.21 miles) from 
OS Grid TL443584
The path is opposite the crossing and takes you over a bridge, keep going straight, then right and immediately left.
About 0.19 km (~0.12 miles) from 
OS Grid TL446584
The lane here takes you past the sundial on Gonville and Caius college and the Senate House on the right, exiting on King's Parade again, opposite Great St Mary's Church.
About 0.23 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid TL448584
With the church on your right, go down the busy Market Hill (!) and turn right at the T junction.
About 0.23 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid TL450585
Here, go along the busy shopping street, notice some of the old bank names on the upper parts of the buildings, past St Andrew's Church, opposite Christ's College gates, then cross the road.
About 0.18 km (~0.11 miles) from 
Passageway OS Grid TL451584
Pedestrian Passageway with shops, leading you to Drummer Street bus station.
About 0.18 km (~0.11 miles) from 
1 comment... join the discussion!
Sheila
There are well maintained paths all the way, so it is suitable for children, pushchairs and wheelchairs.