Best walks near March by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in East Anglia and plan your next day of green.
Cambridge Station Circular via Grantchester (Cambridgeshire)
30m direct from March.
Easy: 12km, flat terrain. 3h30–5h30.
Beginner-friendly: A straightforward walk along the River Cam with many lunch options in Granchester. Within Cambridge itself, feel free to wander about randomly rather than following the route — there’s plenty to appreciate.
Highlights: King's College Chapel, Fitzwilliam Museum, Hobson's Conduit Monument, Cambridge, and Cambridge itself.
Lunch stops in Grantchester (1h30–2h30 in): the Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester, the Red Lion, the Rupert Brooke, or the Blue Ball Inn.
End-of-walk reward: the Panton Arms.
Stamford Station Circular via Easton on the Hill (Northamptonshire)
30m direct from March.
18km. Gentle ascents. 5h–8h.
Old railway, Roman road, park grounds, and meadows.
Highlights: Burghley House.
Lunch stop: Burghley House café (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Birch Tree Cafe, the Exeter Arms, the Easton on the Hill Village, the Blue Bell Pub, the George, or the Bull and Swan.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Oakham Station Circular via Manton (Rutland)
45m direct from March.
19km. Gentle ascents. 5h–9h.
Villages, churches, and views across the Vale of Catmose.
Lunch stops: the Horse and Jockey Pub (2h–3h in), or the Blue Ball (3h30–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Royal Duke, or the Grainstore Brewery.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Melton Mowbray Station to Oakham Station (Leicestershire)
45m direct from March.
Tough: 21km. Moderate ascents. 5h30–9h30.
Rural countryside.
Lunch stops: Little Spice Box (3h–5h30 in), or the White Lion Inn (3h30–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Railway Inn, or the Grainstore Brewery.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Syston Station to Melton Mowbray Station (Leicestershire)
1h direct from March.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
Footpaths. Winter flooding possible.
Lunch stops in Rearsby (2h–3h in): the Horse and Groom, or the Wheel. Other lunch stop: the Bell Inn (3h30–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Wild Bean Cafe, or the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Waterbeach Station to Ely Station (Cambridgeshire)
15m direct from March.
Tough: 22km. Gentle ascents. 5h30–9h30.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Ely Cathedral, Oliver Cromwell's House, and Ely itself.
Lunch stops: the Five Miles Inn (2h–3h30 in), or Wren Cafe (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cutter Inn, the Drayman's Son, the Kings Arms, the Minster Tavern, or the Prince Albert.
Newport Station to Audley End Station (Essex)
1h from March, with one change.
14km. Moderate ascents. 4h–6h30.
Spoiled by a long trek along a busy road near Audley End.
Highlights: Saffron Walden.
Lunch stops in Saffron Walden: the Temeraire, Waffle, the Courtyard Tearoom, the Kings Arms, or the Eight Bells.
End-of-walk reward: Audley End House and Gardens.
Ely Station Circular via Ely Cathedral (Cambridgeshire)
15m direct from March.
18km. 4h.
Open fenland, flat drained farmland, long straight tree-lined farm tracks, hedge-lined meadows, river banks, dykes and catchwater drains, quayside, and historic city. Exposed river banks.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Shelford Station to Cambridge Station (Cambridgeshire)
30m direct from March.
23km. 6h.
Flat farmland, permissive river paths, open fields, light woodland, and historic city centre streets. High tarmac count.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Huntingdon Station Circular via Portholme Meadow (Huntingdonshire)
45m from March, with one change.
19km. 4h.
Flat riverside paths, water meadows, farmland tracks, tarmac lanes, nature reserve, and market town streets. Prone to flooding.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Sandy Station to Arlesey Station (Bedfordshire)
1h from March, with one change.
17km. 4h.
Flat river meadows, commons, heathland, acid grassland, woods, and riverside paths along the River Ivel. Can be boggy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Biggleswade Station to Sandy Station (Bedfordshire)
1h from March, with one change.
18km. 4h.
Flat arable farmland, grassy tracks, woodland trails, thatched villages, and low greensand ridge. Airshow closures apply.