The Beechwoods
Distance – 4km (2.5 miles)
Time - 1 hour
A short, out and back, walk along Worts Causeway, to The Beechwoods. the route follows a path flanked by hedges on both sides, filled with birds leading to the magnificent Beech trees on the hill above.
Before the walk, you might like to listen to this episode of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Ramblings’ with Clare Balding and Robert Macfarlane as they take this walk.
Thanks to Queen Edith’s Community Forum for providing this walk
Directions
The Walk
The walk starts and finishes at the junction between Wort’s Causeway and Babraham Road
This walk takes the route of the Roman Road from Cambridge to Haverhill.
Walk along the housing in Wort’s Causeway.
look out for the gap in hedge by the bin, just past the speed restriction signs.
Go through the gap and turn left onto the path
Walk along the footpath between two hedges beside Wort’s Causeway (new housing development coming both sides of the road)– be very careful crossing Cherry Hinton Road at the four-way junction.
The hedges are full of birdlife most of the year. look out for Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue and Great Tits and noisy Robins in particular.
Cross the road carefully. You will then start to climb up to the chalk ridge of the Gog Magog Hills. carry on uphill and enter the reserve, via the gate.
Gate into The Beechwoods
The Beechwoods are split into two sections. you will reach the new plantation first, planted in 1992.
The new plantation. Great for building dens.
The original Beechwoods themselves were planted on arable land in the 1840s. Disease and gales have taken their toll on the original beech trees but saplings have sprung up in the gaps. Look out for the carving of a wizard’s face in a tree trunk near the entrance and listen out for woodpeckers. There’s a noticeboard telling you things to look out for.
Take a while to wander through this lovely wood. look out for old carvings in the tree trunks.
When you have thoroughly explored the wood, retrace your steps back to Worts Causeway.
Fun facts
Beneath the beech trees, white helleborine orchids thrive on the dry chalky soil, pushing up flowering spikes in spring before the beech leaves cast their shade.