Hardwick can be explored through different questions: Are you interested in the history of a church building, the remains of a medieval wall painting, or a walk linked to the Greenwich Meridian? St Mary, Chequers and routes linked to the Meridian offer concrete starting points. There are also two monthly wellbeing walks on different Fridays. Before looking for accommodation, you can decide which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Church art and architectural history

Today’s St Mary’s Church dates largely from the 14th century. St Mary’s also contains the remains of a colourful medieval wall painting depicting the Seven Deadly Sins. The building’s history and the painting’s subject appeal to different interests: the date places most of today’s church in a particular period, while the wall painting focuses on a specific religious depiction. Those interested in architecture can focus on the age of the building; those looking for medieval visual art can focus on the remains of the painting and its subject. The word “largely” is important here: it refers to most of today’s church.

Chequers and Hardwick’s history

Chequers represents a different period: it is a Grade II listed former inn. The building dates from the late 16th or early 17th century. Compared with St Mary’s, whose present church dates largely from the 14th century, this is a considerably later date. Its former use as an inn is also part of Chequers’ historical context. Hardwick therefore has two distinct building histories and uses side by side: a church and a former inn. This contrast offers a concrete way to explore the village’s history without assigning both buildings to the same period.

Circular walk and Meridian

The Hardwick Millennium Footpath is a circular route: it starts at the Hardwick village sign and ends there again. Along the way, it crosses the Greenwich Meridian twice. This identifies both the shared starting and finishing point and a distinctive feature of the route. If you are looking for a walk on a closed loop, this provides clear guidance; the Meridian also gives the route a specific geographical connection. Local path conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

Monthly wellbeing walks

The wellbeing walks are centred on recurring dates in the calendar. The walk at The Blue Lion in Hardwick takes place on the first Friday of every month; at Frankies Snack Bar in Hardwick, it takes place on the third Friday. This gives you two different monthly time slots to consider when planning a visit. Check the relevant date before you go and before making it a fixed part of your stay. Unlike the Millennium Footpath, whose circular layout describes the route, these walks are defined primarily by their monthly schedule.

Another route to Hardwick

The Greenwich Meridian Trail – Cambridge loop runs from Cambridge to Hardwick via the Wimpole Way. Together with the Hardwick Millennium Footpath, it highlights a clear distinction between the route descriptions: the local footpath is defined by its circular layout, the village sign and two crossings of the Meridian; the Cambridge loop by its route from Cambridge to Hardwick via the Wimpole Way. This lets you distinguish the circular walk in Hardwick from the route described via the Wimpole Way without treating them as the same type of route.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Horseheath, Little Wilbraham, Yaxley, Manea, Wisbech, Gamlingay, Ely, Swaffham Bulbeck

Go to the main travel overview: Cambridgeshire.