Best walks near Peterborough by train
Northamptonshire · East Midlands of England
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in East Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Cambridge Station Circular via Grantchester (Cambridgeshire)
45m direct from Peterborough.
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)
15m direct from Peterborough.
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)
30m direct from Peterborough.
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)
30m direct from Peterborough.
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)
45m direct from Peterborough.
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
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
1h direct from Peterborough.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Bingham Station Circular via Screveton (Nottinghamshire)
45m from Peterborough, with one change.
Easy: 12km, flat terrain. 3h30–5h30.
Village greens and countryside.
Lunch stops: Caffe Velo Verde (1h30–2h30 in), or the Royal Oak (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Butter Cross.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire)
1h from Peterborough, with one change.
18km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–8h.
Canal, river, wooded track, and roadside footpath. Short stretch on busy A453.
Lunch stops: Wilford Farm (1h30–2h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–5h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Waterbeach Station to Ely Station (Cambridgeshire)
30m direct from Peterborough.
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.
Leicester Station Circular via Charles Wilson Building (Leicestershire)
1h direct from Peterborough.
1km.
Midland's Best Modernist Panorama. University College Leicester established 1921 as memorial to WWI fallen; campus features notable postwar modernist architecture by Denys Lasdun, Ove Arup, and James Stirling.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
South Wigston Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
1h direct from Peterborough.
10km.
Canal towpath and cycle greenway. Route ends at Leicester Cathedral where Richard III's remains were interred in 2013.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Nottingham Station Circular via Nottingham Castle (Nottinghamshire)
1h from Peterborough, with one change.
2km.
Urban waterways walk along canal and river. Trent Bridge originally constructed around 920 and rebuilt in 1868-1871.