Fenstanton circular walk (REDIRECTED)

Distance 5 miles, 11,000 steps.

	Good points of this walk are... Easy walking of great variety along riverside, fields and lakes. Good food and snacks available at the end. Plenty of wildlife.
	Bad points are... Parts of the route can be muddy in winter. If the Great Ouse is in flood the route may be impassible.
	Park in the small car park in Fenstanton about 150 yards up Chequer Street on the left. Walk out of the car park and turn left up Chequer Street.  As you come to the top turn right into School Lane
	You'll find yourself walking through the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul. Dating from the 13th century, it's worth popping in if open. There are memorials to Fenstanton's two most famous past residents. Capability Brown had a small estate and The Manor House in Fenstanton and is buried in the churchyard. John Howland was one of the Pilgrims who arrived in North America on the Mayflower in 1620. At the end of the churchyard turn left and follow the path as it turns right and skirts around and behind the pre-school area. You then cross a field and walk along the back of several large gardens and meadows for horses. After about 300 yards turn right onto The Fen track. Another 30 yards and turn left to cross an area of rough pasture. In autumn this field is full of birds feeding on wild plant seeds.
	When you reach the Great Ouse, turn right and follow the track skirting the river. This part of the walk is idyllic, with river boats floating by and plenty of river wildlife. You may even be lucky enough to see a seal.
	Just over a third of a mile will bring you to the Guided Busway as it crosses the river, the longest guided track for buses in the world. If you've not seen the busway before, it's worth waiting to see one of the buses gliding along the track. Carry on under the busway track and continue to follow along the riverside. Ignore the first path off to the right after about half a mile.
	Turn right down the second path you reach, just under a mile from the busway. You're now walking into Fen Drayton lakes, full of birdlife. You can view seasonal birds, or join one of the RSPB Wednesday wanders. There's also a map of walks around the lakes. Amble along the leafy path, full of dragonflies and butterflies, for just over a third of a mile. Continue straight on when you come to a track running a right angles and walk for a similar distance until you come to the car park.
	Just past the car park turn right and follow the track for about 400 yards. It turns left, then right. After a further 200 yards you go through a gate. Immediately after the gate turn left and walk past a small reservoir. Continue along this route, which becomes Oaktree Road.
	Just past Stubbins nursery, turn right up the footpath skirting along the edge of the nursery land. As you pass huge greenhouses there's a view of vegetable growing on an industrial scale. After just under 500 yards you'll find yourself walking across a field heading back towards Fenstanton.
	Walk along the path in front a modern housing estate. After 260 yards walk into Hampton Close on the left. After a further 140 yards, when Hampton Close bends to the left, take the footpath heading off to the right. This will quickly bring you back to the footpath leading up to the pre-school area mentioned at point 1 above. Turn left, and then right into the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul. You can now retrace your steps back to the car park. Refreshments are available at the King William IV, which gets good reviews. There's also a chip shop and excellent bakery in the village High Street.

Photos from the walk are to be added.

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