Eaton Socon brings together different aspects of history and nature: St Mary’s Church combines a parish church with medieval architectural history, Castle Hills tells the story of several phases of settlement, and The Pightle is maintained as a nature area. If you are planning an overnight stay, this range of options can help you choose what to focus on in your free time. The stated duration of the Eaton Socon Pightle Walk is also useful when planning a specific walk.
St Mary’s Church and its churchyard
St Mary’s Church is a Grade II* listed parish church with fabric dating from the 15th century and an ornate tower. The 12th-century font is the earliest evidence of a church on this site. In 1930, the church burned down completely; Sir Albert Richardson subsequently rebuilt it sympathetically. The combination of the older font, medieval fabric and rebuilding after the fire is particularly revealing of the area’s history.
Well-used public footpaths cross the churchyard. Benches invite visitors to rest, reflect and enjoy the surroundings. Trees, shrubs, plants, mosses and lichens also shape the churchyard, providing food and shelter for numerous birds and insects. In this way, the site combines its paths and seating with diverse vegetation and its habitat.
Castle Hills: several phases of settlement
Castle Hills is a Norman ringwork castle built over parts of a late Saxon villa settlement and a medieval village. Settlement began in the 9th century as a vill, developed further in the 11th century, and was abandoned in the mid-12th century. The ringwork was later used as the site of a windmill. This sequence spans different chapters of the area’s history: an early settlement, a Norman ringwork, and its later use as a mill site. These phases should be distinguished chronologically rather than read as a single building history.
The Pightle: nature area and route planning
The Pightle covers just under ten acres of unspoilt landscape and is maintained as a nature area for recreation and leisure for the Eaton Socon community. The original entrance is on the “Back Path”, a footpath from Eaton Ford to Eaton Socon Church. If you plan to use this path, check its condition beforehand, as conditions can vary.
The Eaton Socon Pightle Walk is a self-guided 60-minute route graded Orange. A section on foot around The Pightle takes 10 to 15 minutes. This shorter time refers to the section around the area, not the duration of the entire route. The meeting point is The Highwayman Car Park at Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, PE19 8YP. Before your walk, check the path conditions and parking availability at the meeting point, as both can change.
When looking for a hotel in Eaton Socon, you can consider what you would like to focus on during your free time: the church and Castle Hills represent different historical themes, while The Pightle offers a connection with nature and a route with a stated duration.
Discover more destinations: Ramsey, Boxworth, Fulbourn, Little Wilbraham, Stapleford, Ely, Swaffham Bulbeck, Pidley
For the main travel overview: Cambridgeshire.
