Therfield Heath

Therfield Heath, also known locally as Royston Heath due to its proximity on the outskirts of Royston, is a place we have visited many times over the years (Royston is about 10 miles from Duxford); it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest as it contains a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery.

On this occasion we start at the Royston sports complex (this heathland is also home to the Royston Golf Club and Rugby Club) and walk up to a knoll with a seat on it; on a clear day like today, there are excellent views of South Cambridgeshire - including Wimpole Hall. We pass the five barrows (tumuli) and take the path round the bottom section of this part of the golf course; we cross the road and then walk along the gallops, part of he Kings Ride Stables (Therfield heath was reportedly favoured by King James I as a hunting ground), to Thrift Farm; this farm hosts visits from local schools and groups who learn how the soil is farmed to produce food and how the environment is managed to create havens for wildlife - old farm machinery is on display. At the end of the farm buildings, we take the footpath across the field to a copse and take the path to the left here; we cross another field towards some woodland and have a good view of the chalk slope which is known in the area for its crop of rare pasque flowers in April.

When we reach this we walk up through beech woods to the Jubilee Wood and through the to the same road we crossed earlier; we walk along the top edge of the golf course now, seeing the five barrows from a different viewpoint, and then through more trees before emerging back to the open heath and heading back to where we started. A lovely walk.Read more