WALKING ROUTES FOR THE PURWELL 'RING OF SPRINGS'

The Purwell 'ring of springs'

WALKING ROUTES FOR THE PURWELL 'RING OF SPRINGS'

Walking the Purwell ring of springs is not a straightforward affair.
Choices need to be made as to what sort of things the walker would hope to see as well as how far they may wish to, or are able to walk. Also there is the question of legal access or insisting on a ‘right to roam’.
In exploring and pinpointing the original sources of the springs it obviously necessitated me following the stream beds until reaching the source of the springs. These are now documented on the map provided on the blog, so there should be no need for most people to struggle through the undergrowth to identify the springs. Also, I should point out that unless the walker is a countryside masochist I would advise against fighting your way through the undergrowth as for the most part there is little of real interest for the walker to see. Botanists and wildlife enthusiasts may well have a differing perspective on this but for the purposes of this account I will be addressing those who simply want somewhere pleasant to walk within the Purwell Valley.
(There are of course, many other routes beyond the perimeters of the Purwell Valley but this is beyond the scope of my present focus.)

The original request for suggesting walking routes came from someone via my blog http://purwellvalley.blogspot.com/ and they were asking about circular routes.
Personally I tend to walk along the river bank or in thee river, which somewhat limits the circular route concept. However, in order to acknowledge and address this request I will begin by describing some fairly easy circular routes to take in some of the springs.
As available time permits I will write about each walk. However, as a start, I have just stated some basic, circular routes.
If anyone wishes to contribute by writing and/or photographing their experiences on the walks please offer your contributions to the blog.

Route 1: (under review)
It is hoped to plan a route that will take in all (or most) of the springs in one go. However, at present I am not up to walking this far, so it will have to wait and be pondered upon before it is unleashed to the general public.

Route 2:
From the ‘centre’ of the Purwell ring of springs (Grove Road TL194304)
- to Willian pond (TL223306)
- to springs (TL 22430;TL216297; TL214297 & TL214289)
- to Great Wymondley Roman settlement spring (TL27128)
- to the Centre of the ring
(This route has now been documented in this blog)

Route 3:
From the ‘centre’ of the Purwell 'ring of springs' (Grove Road TL194304)
- to (past) Dog Kennel farm (TL176283)
- to Wellhead at Charlton (TL175276)
- to St. Ibbs in St. Ippolytes (TL195260)
- to the Centre of the ring
(This route has now been documented in this blog)

Route 4:
From the ‘centre’ of the Purwell ring of springs (Grove Road TL194304)
- to Ickleford river bridge (where you can reasonably cross the river)
- to Oughton Head ( springs TL161299 & TL168299)
- to the Centre of the ring

Route 5:
From the ‘centre’ of the Purwell 'ring of springs' (Grove Road TL194304)
- to Cadwell (TL192321)
- to Lower green (TL18624; TLTL18528: TL184330)
- To Snailswell & Pound farm (TL176322 & TL171316)
- to the Centre of the 'ring of springs'

Route 6:
Start at Holwell, the Moat House (just enjoy) (TL162329)
- to Ramerick Farm (TL174339 & TL175330)
- Back to Moat House

Route 7:
Start and finish at Norton Common (Parking at various entrances, but the swimming pool has the advantage of being a landmark if you have to ask for directions back to your car! (TL 217335)
This may seem a strange guide to a ‘route’ but wandering all around Norton Common is a beautiful, interesting and a pleasant walk. You can’t get lost as long as you don’t venture across any roads.

These routes will be published in more detail to this blog as and when time permits