Houghton and Wyton

Houghton and Wyton are two picturesque villages located 16 miles from Cambridge, between the towns of St Ives and Huntingdon. There are many historical buildings in Houghton and Wyton. The oldest surviving building in Houghton is located at The Green. Originally a farmhouse built in 15th century it later became a pub and is now a private house.

Houghton and Wyton offer an excellent base for walks. There are plenty of walking routes in the area, including the Ouse Valley Way and the Pathfinder circular walk. There is a nature reserve situated near the village of Houghton.

The impressive five-story Houghton Mill is the only working watermill left on the River Great Ouse. This National Trust property is located in a delightful riverside location near a lock. The present mill dates from the 18th century and there has been a mill on this site for over 1,000 years.

Why not combine your Trail with a visit to the mill?
For opening hours please check the National Trust website. At the time of publishing this Trail, the mill is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 2.00-5.30pm (April to October), and is additionally open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from July to September at the same times. Milling takes place on Sundays (subject to water level), starting at 2.00pm. The wholewheat flour is produced from wheat grown at nearby Wimpole Hall and is on sale. There is a small tea room for light refreshments.


This is a walking Treasure Hunt Trail. It is approximately 1.5 miles long and you should allow around 2 hours to complete it. This Trail follows a well-maintained pedestrian route around the villages and finishes by the mill. The terrain is mostly flat and is suitable for pushchairs. Some parts of the Trail follow a natural surface path so might not be suitable for wheelchairs.
Details of the itinerary: The Trail starts at the Clock Tower at The Green, in the Houghton village centre. On-street parking is available at The Green and in nearby streets. A Pay and Display car park is located at Houghton Mill.

The Trail passes through: The Green (Clock Tower) - Chapel Lane (The St Mary's Centre Houghton Chapel) - Green Lane - Huntingdon Road (The Three Jolly Butchers) - Village playing field - The Lanes - Thicket Road (Houghton Manor) - The Green (Victorian water pump) - Mill Street (St Mary The Virgin Church) - Houghton Mill, lock and sluice.

Information about local amenities to help you plan your visit

Parking
Houghton Mill, Pay and Display car park.
On-street parking around the village centre.

Shopping and eating
Ye Olde Village Shoppe is located in the 17th century cottage at The Green in Houghton. It stocks a good range of refreshments and snacks. There are two public houses: The Three Jolly Butchers is located in Wyton and The Three Horseshoes is in Houghton. Houghton Mill has a tea room that serves light refreshments.

Baby-changing facilities and toilets are at the Houghton Mill (available during regular opening hours).

Walking
Ordnance survey reference 153:TL282720

Cycling
Route NCN51 from Huntingdon. Check the map of local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website.

Directions to Houghton
By road: signposted off A1123 Huntingdon to St Ives.
By train: Huntingdon 3½ miles.
On foot: Ouse Valley Way from Huntingdon and St Ives
Bus services: Stagecoach in Huntingdon 55, Whippet 1A, Cambridge to Huntingdon. Cambridge guided busway.