This is part of an ongoing Cambridge - Coton - Boxworth exploration, for the purposes of getting to the Golden Ball Inn without car-jousting. Previously I've tried the road to Knapwell but cars can go a bit fast there. Cycling from Coton to Madingley then Dry Drayton is usually more pleasant.
From Dry Drayton the bridleway to Bar Hill is well signposted:
 |
| Tarmac, for now |
A good downhill surface treacherously gives way to fairly severe nobbles, so don't get carried away!
 |
| Light mud, and bumps |
It's only a short distance.
 |
| Hallelujah! |
Bar Hill is strange, a weird little pocket-estate with a periphery road. I couldn't quite shake off the feeling it was out to get me. A bridleway shadows the road, if you're absolutely determined to avoid tarmac, but it's quiet enough.
It's easy to miss the footpath sign on the right as you plunge downhill, and end up somewhere commercial.
 |
| Insert your own snake joke |
 |
| As if Bar Hill isn't weird enough, it's not a village, but a 'residential area'. For fiends in human form. |
 |
| Thank God for that |
This is a footpath that's ok to cycle on, not just because it's a good surface, but also because the landowner has given
permission.
 |
| Lolworth church in the distance |
Lolworth is beautifully quiet. It's fun coming through somewhere like this because there's only one road in and out, so despite being a village it feels more like a secret glade.
 |
| Best Kept Village (though not recently) |
This all looks nice and easy, follow the sign to Boxworth. And it is, sort of, but on the way out there's a prominent "Yarmouth Farm, Private Road" sign right next to the "Public Bridleway" sign. Which might put you in mind of bitter disputes and shotguns, but I suppose the path to the farm is both a private road and a public right of way, and the farmer doesn't particularly feel like encouraging you to use it, even though you can. Anyway I waved to someone while passing the farm buildings and they waved back and seemed friendly.
The bridleway itself is springy grass, easy going on a summer's evening, though you might get foliage in your chain.
 |
| Arrivee Boxworth |
 |
| Boxworth pond |
The only bad bit about arriving in Boxworth is that you're on the wrong side of the village for the Golden Ball. When you get there everyone will be eating and you'll almost certainly want a pie.
 |
| The bike enjoys a well-earned rest |
All in all a fun ride, but I'm going to investigate a route via Childerley too, since it would be nice to avoid that Yarmouth weirdness.
