Hereward Way: Some Comments

While I have not walked all the Hereward Way, just over a year before I walked much of the path to the east of Ely, and on this trip have covered most of it to the west.

There are a few reasons to consider this somewhat unusual long distance path. Unusual but unique as it crosses the Fens, a particularly flat area of Britain. Yet it has its own beauty, big blue skies in good weather, reed lined ditches, long straight lines made by roads and rivers, converging somewhere far off. Such factors give the area a distinctive look. The route is not entirely confined to the Fens, the sandy soils of Thetford Forest mark one end of the trail, and the artificial lake of Rutland Water forms the other. Although there is much farmland, there are also flooded areas attractive to waterfowl. Another advantage of the route are the towns and villages visited. Two are of particular interest, Ely with its beautiful, lofty cathedral and the cream stone coloured town of Stamford.

Waymarking is a bit erratic so a map or GPS track is needed. Accommodation is available but is concentrated in the bigger towns so it is worth planning ahead. There are some campsites but apart from Thetford forest, this is not an area for wild camping. The path can be walked at any time of the year, although people interested in birds may wish to select when they are most plentiful.