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Dullingham/Stetchworth and Wood Ditton Walk 
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A good starting point is at the Stetchworth Road/Cross Green junction in Dullingham. Walk uphill towards Stetchworth along Tea Kettle Lane and at the Marquis of Granby pub cross over the road behind the barrier to Lovers Lane - a cut through to Strollers Way.
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Walk diagonally across the road from the exit of Lovers Lane and you will see a wooden signpost which directs you through fields to the Devils Ditch. Walk straight ahead and up and over the Ditch, which is part of the Icknield Way. |
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On the other side of the Ditch, the Icknield Way continues between two large fields. At this spot, on a clear day, Ely Cathedral and the Rowley Mile racecourse can be seen. |
At the end of the path, there are steps made out of old railway sleepers leading up to a gravel path. Turn right along the track that will lead round to the left and uphill towards Wood Ditton Church.
At the top of the hill leave the Icknield Way, turning right, with the hedge on your right hand side. Follow the footpath keeping Wood Ditton water tower on your right. The path takes you through the middle of a field, exiting by a large oak tree; you then follow the hedge on your left. At the end of the path is a small bridge over a ditch that leads into the far end of the The Three Blackbirds pub in Wood Ditton. When open the pub will happily provide water for dogs and sustenance for humans.
Leave the pub and turn right and head towards the ‘West End’ of the village – turning left here and then shortly right, passing ‘The Green Room’ on your left. Look for the gate that takes you into a field. Go through and keep to the left hand side of the field.
Exit the field via a wooden bolted gate and turn left, keeping the hedge on your left. Follow the hedge around to the right, past a wood on your left and near to a pretty little round house, where you will come out into Stetchworth Ley. Turn right, passing cottages on your right (just a short walk on the lane) and then pick up the public footpath, signed to the left. The path takes you by tennis courts and an old shepherd’s hut. Stay on this path, with the woods on your left. At the end of the path, minding your head on the fence as you turn right onto the Stour Valley Way. This path takes you over a bridge into ‘The Moats’ (probably the site of an ancient moated settlement) and follows a ditch on your right that runs downhill to a pretty green track, known locally as Watery Lane.
Turn left on to Watery Lane, with the stream on your right, follow the track to its end to the end. This will bring you out at Cross Green. Turn right and you are on Stetchworth Road, which is where this lovely walk began.
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Start the walk outside St Mary’s Church.. (There is a small car park). Set off down Church Close and walk diagonally across the village green and head for the crossroads by ‘The King’s Head’. Turn left down Station Road and continue through the village, passing many attractive cottages on the way until you reach Balsham Lane.
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Turn left into Balsham Lane and follow the road as it takes you steadily upwards to higher ground. Take time to admire the lovely view to your right across rolling countryside; this is where you are likely to see Roe deer, especially if you are out early in the morning. Pass Deer Field Farm Stud on your left and before you reach Underwood Hall, turn left onto the public footpath, which is clearly signposted. |
 Tony Cope with Oliver |
The footpath is well maintained and easy to walk. It passes close to a small private golf course on your right. Look out for green woodpeckers searching for worms and grubs on the short grass in this area. Continue on, past a stud on the right and a wide belt of trees on the left. This area is excellent for seeing foxes, muntjac, rabbits and hares, again if you go early. I have also spotted Sparrowhawks, Kestrels and a Buzzard here too. |
Continue towards the water tower and once you reach Brinkley Road, cross over and head for the marked footpath that will lead you through the Brinkley Stud where more horses can be seen. (Dogs need to be kept on a lead at this point). Proceed along the footpath and look to your right towards the reservoir, usually surrounded by Canada Geese. The path skirts an arable field before finishing on the Dullingham Ley Road. Walk about 50 yards downhill and then turn left along a footpath taking you back up to higher ground. The footpath will bring you to a small ‘moated’ copse. At this point, cross over the little bridge and turn right, following the hedgerow until you find yourself back at St Mary’s Church. Walk through the churchyard - but before returning to your starting point, take time to stop and feed some bread to the ducks on the village pond.
