Ferry Meadows Bikmo bike ride

Jonathan Manning explores the pleasant surroundings of Ferry Meadows on a leisurely bike ride.

Poetry in (pedal) motion

This easy, pretty ride combines a vast country park, the lovely River Nene and the landscape that inspired the 19 th century ‘peasant poet’ John Clare. It follows tracks and quiet roads through fields and pockets of broadleaf woodland, with a host of places to stop off for a cuppa or something stronger. The return runs alongside a stretch of the Nene Valley Railway, where steam trains continue to run, including the unmistakeable Thomas the Tank Engine. It’s a perfect route for an afternoon of gentle cycling.

Start
From Ferry Meadows Club Campsite, turn left towards the country park, and when the road bends to the left go straight ahead to pass an ornately carved tree trunk. Follow the track ahead passing the Visitor Centre and lakes to reach a T-junction with another track.

2. 850m
Turn right at the junction, crossing the ornate, iron foot bridge, following signs for Milton Ferry Bridge. Cross the stone arch bridge and on the far side turn left up the road, signposted to Marholm and the Green Wheel. At the top of the road turn left, ride downhill into Castor, and turn left at the T-junction into Ailsworth. At the end of the village, follow the road to the right, then take the right turn immediately to Helpston. Continue for 4km.

3. 9.1km
At the crossroads, either turn left for The Granary Tea Room at Willow Brook Farm (about 300m on the left) or continue straight ahead to Helpston. Continue into Helpston and the thatched John Clare Cottage museum (free to enter and a café), before reaching a T-junction.

4. 11.9km
Turn left at the junction to Bainton and Barnack, and keep going to the end of the village, before turning left to Ufford. Keep going to a crossroads.

5. 14.9km
Go straight over the crossroads, pass through a farm and about 500m later turn left to Upton. Follow this road to a roundabout.

6. 20.3km
Go straight over the roundabout, signposted to Sutton, Ailsworth, Castor, and Helpston. Continue to a T-junction on the edge of Ailsworth.

7. 22.1km
Turn right at the junction to Castor and Marholm, and near the top of the hill at the end of the village turn right along Mill Lane. Cross the railway bridge then immediately turn right to pass under the bridge with the railway track on the left. Continue to cross the River Nene, then carefully cross the track into Ferry Meadows. At the first crossroads of tracks turn right, and follow this track all the way to Ham Lane. Turn left and the Club campsite is on the left.

Distance: 26.7km
Time: 2 hours
Terrain: Tarmac roads and tracks throughout
Suitable for: all cyclists
Landscape: Gently rolling farmland
Refreshments: Pubs in Castor and Helpston. Cafés in Ailsworth, Helpston and Nene Country Park.

The numbers in black link to the directions (the white numbers in red circles are distance markers).

Photo credit: MapMyRide

 

Published September 2025