Little Stukeley can be explored through two distinct interests: traces of the ancient Ermine Street and the section of the Via Beata that leads into the village. There is also a war memorial, a former inn with a historical detail, and an important local open space. When choosing a destination for your stay, you might therefore consider whether you are primarily interested in local history or would rather make a walk the focus of your visit.
Ermine Street and Village History
Great Stukeley and Little Stukeley lie on either side of Ermine Street, the ancient Roman road. A specific point of reference is the milestone “Milestone About 1/4 Mile South of Village” on Ermine Street, about a quarter of a mile south of the village. It is listed as a Grade II listed building. The road name, location and milestone give the history of the place a clear geographical context.
Another historical detail is associated with The Swan and Salmon: the building was formerly an inn. On its eastern gable is a stone relief bearing the date 1676. Its former use and the relief are tangible points of reference for understanding local architectural history alongside the older road.
The Little Stukeley War Memorial dates from 1920 and commemorates the First World War. It remembers eight local members of the armed forces who died in the war; a further name was added after the Second World War. The memorial therefore brings together its original historical context and a later addition.
Walking the Via Beata
Section VBG13 of the Via Beata is an easy walk from Burleigh Hill Farm near St Ives to Little Stukeley. The route runs through fields and along wooded paths. Along the way, it follows a bridleway past Priestley Wood to Owl End, goes through Great Stukeley to the main road, and then follows a path to Little Stukeley. This route offers a specific walking focus for anyone interested in combining a rural trail with a village destination.
Open Spaces and Local Context
Part of Little Stukeley lies within the Little Stukeley Conservation Area; the designation does not cover the whole village. The Little Stukeley Recreation Area is also part of the village landscape: it is one of Little Stukeley’s important open spaces and forms part of its green infrastructure. These details complement the historic sites and walking route with aspects of local context and open space.
An Evening Service at St Martin
At St Martin in Little Stukeley, a one-hour evening service is held at 6 pm on the second Sunday of each month between March and October, occasionally with Holy Communion. If this service is important to your stay, check the service time in advance.
Transport in the Parish of The Stukeleys
For transport context, the wider area of the Parish of The Stukeleys is relevant: the main East Coast railway line to London runs through the parish, as does the A14 trunk road. These details add a broader transport perspective to the local topics without replacing the village history or the route of the Via Beata.
Discover more destinations: Soham, Brinkley, Stretham, Chesterton, Melbourn, Six Mile Bottom, Manea, Bar Hill.
For the wider travel guide: Cambridgeshire.
