Willingham – Discover History and Walking Routes

When planning a trip to Willingham, three themes stand out: medieval history, footpaths with named directions, and the historic production of local goods. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, these themes can help you consider the destination in light of your interests. Cultural history, planning a walk, and the history of flower growing or cheese each offer a different focus; for planning purposes, you can consider them separately rather than combining different route descriptions into one route.

Medieval history

Belsar’s Hill is a very well-preserved medieval ringwork incorporated into a later medieval field system. The chronological connection is interesting: the fortification dates from the medieval period, and the field system was created later, but is also medieval. The site can therefore be understood through two related aspects—the well-preserved fortification and its incorporation into a younger landscape structure. For travellers interested in archaeology and landscape history, the focus is on this connection, not just on the name of the site.

The Church of St Mary and All the Saints dates predominantly from the early 14th century. “Predominantly” is important here: the date describes the main part of the church, not every building element across the board. This architectural theme sits alongside the landscape history of Belsar’s Hill. Those interested in both can make a useful comparison: a church whose main part dates from the early 14th century and a ringwork incorporated into a later medieval field system.

Footpaths and directions

Footpaths lead from Willingham to Over. Another footpath runs along the top of the Old West River flood embankment towards Cottenham. These are different destinations to keep in mind when planning: Over is the destination of the footpaths from Willingham, while the embankment route heads towards Cottenham. You can therefore choose your direction first, rather than treating the two descriptions as a single route. Aldreth Causeway can also be walked from Willingham and is registered as a right of way. Check access arrangements and the current status of the path before setting out.

Historic products

Historically, flower growing in Willingham included many large greenhouses. The flowers were transported by lorry to the railway station so they could be sent on to markets throughout England. The journey from cultivation via the station to market shows the products’ reach beyond the local area; this history is therefore about transport as well as horticulture. This economic history differs from the medieval themes and complements them with another local tradition.

Cheese was made in Willingham under the name “Cottenham cheese”. Production lasted about 200 years and ended during the Second World War. The product’s name and the long history of production, which continued into wartime, give food history a distinctive focus of its own. For travellers who want to understand local history through its past products too, cheese adds a second story of historic production to flower growing.

Nearby area

Close to Willingham, Willingham Pumping Station lies on the edge of the Fens, two miles west of the village. Its location provides a specific point of reference to the west for finding your way around the area.

Discover more destinations: St Ives, March, Arrington, Stilton, Littleport, Hinxton, Stretham, Duxford

Go to the county travel overview: Cambridgeshire.