The Hereward Way: Some Comments

Although the Fens may not be the obvious choice for a long distance walk its one I would recommend as it is so very different from other such paths (also good if you do not like climbing hills).

This February I walked the Hereward Way from its intersection with the Peddars Way in Thetford Forest to the Sixteen Foot Drain by Christchurch village. On a previous occasion I covered the next section to the town of March. Hiking through Thetford forest among the trees on this first part of my walk was pleasant although there was a busy road section and motorcycles roared by in places. Historic sites included a church or two. The forest ends a Brandon, a modest town with accommodation, a Chinese takeaway and similar facilities.

After Brandon the Fens began. A very flat area which was once marsh with a few low islands. Hereward the Wake, after whom the trail is named, fought the Norman invaders in this area in the 11th century, using the marshes to protect him from attack. Drainage has since changed the Fens into fertile farmland. The Hereward Way takes you around Lakenheath Fens, which has been allowed to return to reed filled marshland for the benefit of birds and wildlife. The trail crosses much flat farmland with its drainage ditches and crosses the Old and New Bedford Rivers which ultimately drained this area. The big skies and distant trees are a feature of the walk. The city of Ely was the main urban centre on the section of the Hereward Way I walked and well worth spending a day visiting its cathedral, stained glass museum, tea shops and other sights. As you might expect, the Hereward Way is very flat which may be an attraction for some as most long distance walks are over hills and mountains. Signposting for the Hereward Way was sparse and a map or gpx trail is needed for navigation.