Linton: History, Village Walks and Rivey Hill

Linton combines a historic centre with specific ways to give different emphasis to village history and getting out and about. The High Street has numerous listed buildings, and a circular walk leads to the water tower on Rivey Hill. When looking for a holiday rental, it is worth considering whether you would like to devote more of your days to architectural history, a walk or Linton Zoo.

Listed historic centre

Linton’s old centre is designated an Outstanding Conservation Area. Linton has more than 120 listed buildings, 75 of them on the High Street alone. The designation applies to the centre as an area, while the figures refer to individual buildings. The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed building. Its south aisle dates from around 1200, providing a specific medieval reference point in the building’s history.

Linton Roman villa adds an earlier period to this picture. It was a Romano-British corridor villa with a bath suite attached to the north-east, and was probably built in the 3rd century. Its significant, well-preserved remains lie beneath the present ground surface. Linton’s historical range thus extends from the Romano-British villa to a medieval part of the church.

Between village history and a circular walk

The Linton Heritage Trail runs through the village, with information boards drawing attention to historic buildings and features. Linton’s circular walk offers a different focus: it climbs 75 metres to the water tower on Rivey Hill. On the return, it passes through side streets and follows the River Granta through Linton. This lets you consider a village-history walk and a route with a specified climb as different day plans. Check the path conditions before setting out.

Linton Zoo: play area, paths and getting there

Linton Zoo’s adventure play area is in a fenced section next to the covered picnic area and behind the toilet block in the car park. Most areas of the zoo are accessible to wheelchair users. At the same time, the paths are mostly uneven, with varying surfaces and some tree roots, and run along a gentle slope. When planning, therefore, consider both the accessibility of most areas and the specific path conditions.

Bus routes 13 and 13A from Cambridge and Haverhill are listed for travel to Linton; from the Linton Police Station stop, it is then about a ten-minute walk. Check current bus services and stops before travelling, as they may change.

Market day and local businesses

Linton farmers’ market takes place on the first Saturday of each month in the village hall. If you want the market to shape your stay, check the date before travelling. Chilford Hall, a winery and conference centre, is also in Linton. Together with the historic buildings and varied walks, this gives the village several distinct points of interest to help plan your days.

Discover more destinations: Wisbech, Little Wilbraham, Willingham, Buckden, Comberton, Papworth Everard, Melbourn, Bar Hill.

For the wider travel guide: Cambridgeshire.