Sustrans waymark

The Sustrans waymark near Ely is one of those spots you find by accident while following the cycle network - a simple marker that reveals a proper vantage point across the Cambridgeshire fens. It's not a destination in itself, but rather a signpost along the Sustrans routes that crisscross the region, marking where walkers and cyclists should pay attention to the landscape around them.

What you get here is uncluttered fenland views. Flat, open, the sort of horizon that stretches forever without a hill in sight. On clear days you can pick out Ely Cathedral in the distance - that's your bearing. The waymark itself is modest, just a signpost or painted marker on the route, but it's positioned where the landscape actually opens up and makes you stop for a moment.

Walkers tackling the Sustrans network will find this worthwhile as a rest point and orientation marker rather than a destination to plan a trip around. Families with young children on bikes or trikes will appreciate the flat terrain and clear sightlines. It's best visited as part of a longer cycle or walking day rather than in isolation.

Ely sits just a few miles west, and the nearby caravan parks - Hatters Meadows, Heatherbield Lodge, and Chittering Park are all within easy reach for a base. Allow ten minutes here during a longer route, longer if you've got binoculars to pick out birdlife in the wetlands. No admission, no facilities, just open access to the waymarked paths. That's the appeal of the Sustrans network - it costs nothing and asks nothing in return.