Graveley, Yelling and Papworth St Agnes
Exploring the borders of the old county of Huntingdonshire
Google Maps Open Source Maps| Statistics and Files | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start: Graveley | Distance: 5.0 miles (8.0 km) | Climbing: 84 metres |
| Grid Ref: TL 24976 64152 | Time: 2-3 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File | About Graveley |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Start: Graveley | Distance: 5.0 miles (8.0 km) |
| Climbing: 84 metres | Grid Ref: TL 24976 64152 |
| Time: 2-3 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File |
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)
The Walk: The walk begins at St Botoph's Church, Graveley, which stands in a wooded graveyard. There you will find a memorial to Mary Warren, who died in 1838 after a short but adventurous life. Born in India, she survived the hazardous journey home, including crossing Egypt by camel, only to die a year later at just three years old. Beyond the main street, Home Farm guards the bridleway to sleepy Yelling, formerly Gellinge, the country of Gell's tribe. The land becomes steeper and grassy fields give relief from the ploughed meadows. The path leads to the village of Yelling.
Graveley Church
Papworth St Agnes Church
Yelling's village sign, bordered with oak leaves, shows the church with farming and cricketing scenes. On top of the hill is the church of Holy Cross which is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Survey. It has Norman arcades on the north side. Every spring, a daffodil festival is held in the thatched barn at Church Farm, one of several 17th century houses in Yelling.
Leaving the shelter of the village, the breezy hills, brown coloured in autumn and green in spring before the golden of Corn are crossed. The path leads to tiny Papworth St Agnes, almost derelict in the mid 1970's. Since then old cottages have been restored and new houses built. The 19th century church, stone and flint chequered, is protected by the Friends of Friendless Churches.
There is another grass meadow to cross, full of moats and strange humps, where once old habitations stood. Finally, on the return to Graveley, the arable fields open out again and the skies above look far and wide.
Acknowledgments: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
Feedback and Suggestions: To suggest a link for inclusion on a this page please complete the Walking Englishman Feedback Form. Thank you.
