Walks near Spalding by train

Highly recommended

Waterway: two thirds beside rivers and canals.

Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.

Oliver Cromwell's House

Ely

Time: 5h30–11h30

2 lunch spots: the Five Miles Inn (2h–4h in), or Wren Cafe (3h–6h in)

5 end-of-walk rewards: the Cutter Inn, the Drayman's Son, the Kings Arms, the Minster Tavern, or the Prince Albert

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Villages, churches and views across the Vale of Catmose.

Time: 5h–10h30

2 lunch spots: the Horse and Jockey Pub (2h–3h30 in), or the Blue Ball (3h30–6h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Royal Duke, or the Grainstore Brewery

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Open fenland, flat drained farmland, long straight tree-lined farm tracks, hedge-lined meadows, river banks, dykes and catchwater drains, quayside and historic city.

Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Exposed river banks.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Rural countryside.

Time: 5h30–11h30

2 lunch spots: Little Spice Box (3h–6h30 in), or the White Lion Inn (3h30–6h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Railway Inn, or the Grainstore Brewery

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Old railway, Roman road, park grounds and meadows.

Burghley House

Time: 5h–9h30

1 lunch spot: Burghley House café (2h30–5h in)

6 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

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Flat riverside paths, water meadows, farmland tracks, tarmac lanes, nature reserve and market town streets.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Prone to flooding.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Flat river meadows, commons, heathland, acid grassland, woods and riverside paths along the River Ivel.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Can be boggy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Flat arable farmland, grassy tracks, woodland trails, thatched villages and low greensand ridge.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Airshow closures apply.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Reverse direction: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: An excellent route; very enjoyable. An off-road and peaceful route using byways, the Chesterfield Canal towpath, farm tracks and with some walking through housed areas on safe pavements at either end. The canal section can get hemmed in by bracken and undergrowth; no serious hills. Follows the Chesterfield Canal towpath; passes Babworth Church, linked to the Pilgrim Fathers, with a display board; few benches in the middle third.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: The Chequers pub at Ranby is the only refreshment option in the middle third and needs a detour off the towpath; stock up at the start otherwise.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A good route entirely on well-used paths, cycle tracks and pavements, following Rutland Water's edge and the Rutland Round through fields and farm tracks and short wooded sections. A couple of short muddy sections when wet but nothing serious; a few stiles and a short flight of easy-angled steps; long pavement walks at both ends. Follows the Rutland Round and skirts Rutland Water past the Barnsdale hotel grounds. Toilets and a (seasonal) cafe at Whitwell car park, and more toilets at Sykes Lane. Passes the church at Tickencote.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: A village shop at Empingham (short signposted detour), plus a cafe at Whitwell car park (may be seasonal).

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. Do not turn up Bull Brig Lane near Whitwell, which looks like a track but is a private drive with a locked gate; follow the marina car park roads to the cycle track instead.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–6h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association (PDF).

Stunningly gorgeous; This is a lovely route, and by far the best of the three options. A lovely route that follows the River Ouse for most of the way through open country, then wiggles into the city centre, taking in housing, Ely Country Park and common land. Mostly off-road and flat along the exposed flood bank, with several stiles and gates and a short steep embankment; muddy in places after rain. Follows the River Ouse, passing through Ely Country Park and common land rich in vegetation and wildlife. Facilities in Ely and Littleport but little en route.

Waterway: two thirds beside rivers and canals.

Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: No facilities en route between the two towns.

Warnings: Two footpath crossings of railway lines without automated barriers, one on a bend with poor visibility, so listen out as well as look. Several stiles and the likelihood of grazing cattle in the riverside fields. The flood bank is exposed to wind, sun and rain with little shelter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.