Great Ouse Odyssey – stage 5: Earith to Brampton

This is stage five of the Great Ouse Odyssey, a hike along the Ouse Valley Way, from the mouth to the source of the River Great Ouse, the fourth longest river in the UK. The hike was between 16-18 miles in length.

Route of the hike from Earith to Brampton (Cambridgeshire)
Route of the hike along the Ouse from Earith to Brampton (Cambridgeshire)

I picked up the trail at Earith walking on a causeway between the river and flooded fields. Lapwings called to each other as the skies cleared and the sun started to shine.

The Great Ouse at Earith
The Great Ouse at Earith

The Ouse was still at a high level after breaking her banks and flooding earlier in the year.

The Great Ouse near Earith
The Great Ouse near Earith

Within half an hour of starting the walk I had stuffed my jumper into my rucksack, what a relief to be hiking in the spring sun, at long last!

I passed a Greenwich Meridian marker against which I checked my compass. This is the second time I seen such a marker.  The last one was as I went through the village of Orwell on my Royston to Cambridge hike last year.

Greenwich Meridian
Greenwich Meridian

I stopped for lunch in the pretty village of Holywell. There is a lovely garden and bench just outside the church.  I ate my cornish pasty in the midday sun.

Lunch outside Holywell Church
Lunch outside Holywell Church

From Holywell I headed on towards St Ives.  The journey into the town isn’t pleasant, passing through an industrial estate.  Unfortunately the Ouse Valley Way can’t always follow the route of the river, much of which lies on private land.

I admired the handsome 15th century bridge at St Ives.

St. Ives bridge
St. Ives bridge

On my way out of St Ives I caught sight of the rare Cambridgeshire Wildcat.

Cambridgeshire wildcat
A rare Cambridgeshire wildcat

I became somewhat lost between Houghton Mill and Godmanchester.

Ouse Valley Way marker
A rare Ouse Valley Way marker near Houghton Mill

The local council had given up marking the route at this point, leaving travellers to enlist passing locals as guides across the wet, wet water-meadows.  I was lucky to find such a local who kindly led me back to my path.

Water meadows near Godmanchester
Water meadows near Godmanchester

And then, before I knew it, I was almost at my destination, the village of  Brampton.  I tried to buy a pint at the Brampton Mill pub, I didn’t have any cash on me and they wouldn’t take my card unless I spent over £5.  Oh well…

Swans at Brampton
Swans at Brampton

A fine walk for the first true day of the spring.

11 thoughts on “Great Ouse Odyssey – stage 5: Earith to Brampton

  1. Sounds like a lovely walk, Martin. The photos are very atmospheric and make me wish I was up to that sort of walking on a Spring day.

    1. In my younger days I would have settled for two pints, nowadays that amount would put me straight to sleep if drank in the afternoon : )

  2. Magnificent photos Martin. Yes Houghton meadows path is confusing . you are expected to guess unless you possess a boat . ShM3 about the beer
    bob

    1. Glad you liked the photos Bob, maybe you could join me for the first mile of the walk from Brampton onwards down the Ouse on the next stage?

  3. You’re very much in my home area there. I’d planned to walk the Ouse this winter, but was put off by the river levels and the flooded Godmanchester Meadows. Good to see it’s passable now!

    As ever, thanks for the report.

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