From: Central Cambridge.

Distance: 16 miles.

Summary: Great views of the University’s collection of pioneering radio telescopes.

Click here to fly over this route in Google Earth (find out more…)

* * * *

Five miles to the southwest of Cambridge is an array of radio telescopes, continually monitoring the skies for radiation emitted at the very birth of the Universe. Although the immediate area around the telescopes is very strictly off-limits, a bridleway crosses the site, and provides a number of good viewing points. This route heads out towards Lords Bridge via Barton, and then returns via the villages of Harlton and Haslingfield.

In detail:

• Head out of Cambridge along Barton Road. A shared pedestrian/cycle path is provided on the right, and this will take you over the motorway, and past the turn to Burwash Manor Barns.



• Continue straight ahead at the roundabouts, taking extra care of fast-moving traffic leaving the M11. One mile further on, you will pass Barton High Street on the right. Continue ahead, but take the next left into Haslingfield Road.
• Peering through the trees on the left-hand side of this pretty lane will provide you with your first sight of the impressive Ryle Telescope (position A on the map), comprised from a number of aerials mounted on large white parabolic dishes, four of which are able to travel along a railway line.



• It is this railway line — or rather, the public station that used to be situated here — that gives Lords Bridge its name. The station building remains in use as the sitekeeper’s lodge and a lecture theatre, though the train line was removed from public use in 1967.
• A mile along the road, you will spot a signed bridleway on the right-hand side (position B). Cyclists have right of way along bridleways in the UK, though this one is only really suitable for cycling down if your tyres are in good condition: there is a lot of sharp bracken along the path. If you’re not prepared to risk a puncture, just enjoy the pleasant amble down this path, wheeling your bike instead.



• Keep your eyes peeled on both sides of the road as you cycle or wander down the bridleway, as you’re now passing directly through part of the radio telescope site, and there are a number of gadgets in the fields all around. On the left you will spot the three, 120-ton dishes of the One-Mile Telescope. This was cutting edge technology when it was built in the 1960s, but is now only really used for undergraduate research projects.
• Half a mile down the track you end up in a grassy field, beside the 32 metre span of the new MERLIN telescope. Operated from Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, this is part of a network of seven telescopes scattered across Great Britain.



• Continue down the path a short way, and the bridleway then crosses a road. This is private property however, forming the access route to the MERLIN telescope. Scary signs rather strongly suggest that you don’t even want to think about wandering down there…



• Continue straight ahead down the remaining length of the byway. Even the most ardent cyclist will want to walk this bit, as the grass can be extremely long in this short section. Turn left onto the Cambridge Road.
• Rather than returning to Cambridge via the same roads as before, it’s fun to now explore some of the villages to the southwest of Cambridge. Three-quarters of a mile down the road is a left turn into the amusingly named Washpit Lane. Turn down here, bearing left half a mile onwards into the village of Harlton (position C).



• Harlton is one of my favourite villages in the outskirts of Cambridge. With some exceedingly attractive houses and mature trees, a thatched pub and relaxing church green, the village is well-cared for throughout. It was originally one of a number of villages from which Fellows of the University might commute in by horse and cart; still today the vicar’s salary is funded by Jesus College.
• After passing through Harlton, the road once more cuts through open countryside and into Haslingfield. There are a number of routes through this village, but you are aiming to continue straight ahead and over the River Cam, towards Harston.



• Once you reach Harston, turn left into the busy High Street, passing the Porsche and Aston Martin showrooms on the right-hand side of the road. Remain on this road, into Hauxton, and straight across at the roundabout back over the M11. Continue into Trumpington High Street, and from there back into Cambridge city centre.

Despite being only a few miles to the southwest, very few Cambridge residents seem to be aware that the city is home to some of the most important telescopes from the early study of radio astronomy. This cycle ride is a great way to see the sights of the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory from public land — though it’s worth being aware that the route along the byway is only really suitable for cycling along in dry weather!