Hobson's Conduit Trail

Hobson's Conduit was dug between 1610 and 1614 to bring water from the springs at Nine Wells into Cambridge. Much of the channel runs in the open, and this route follows it from the Botanic Garden to the conduit head and then traces its four branches through the city. The springs at Nine Wells, where the water begins, are not on this route.

The route

Start: Cambridge University Botanic Garden

The watercourse runs along the west boundary of the garden. The garden has been on its present site since 1831 and holds more than 8,000 plant species.

2. Hobson's Conduit

The channel ends at the conduit head where Lensfield Road finishes, and there the flow was split into four branches. A hexagonal monument at the corner of Lensfield Road began as part of the Market Place fountain and was moved there in 1856.

3. Trumpington Street

The original branch runs in gutters along both sides of the street: the Pem on the east side and the Pot on the west. The branch still works as a set of sluices.

4. Peterhouse

The Trumpington Street branch supplied Peterhouse, which was founded in 1284.

5. Pembroke College

The same branch supplied Pembroke College, founded in 1347.

6. Lion Yard

The Market Place branch, completed in 1614, fed the fountain in the Market Place. It was cut off in 1970 during the building of the Lion Yard and has not been restored.

7. St Andrew's Street

A branch added in 1631 ran towards Drummer Street and supplied Christ's and Emmanuel Colleges. Much of the open channel along the street was covered over in 1996.

8. Parker's Piece

The last branch fed a cattle pond on Parker's Piece until the pond was filled in during 1827. The common covers about 25 acres of flat grass.

Practical notes

• The Trumpington Street gutters and the Lensfield Road monument are on the same stretch of the route.
• Check each stop's page for opening times and any tickets or booking before you set out.
• The distance and time in the sidebar are estimates, worked out from the straight lines between stops with an allowance for street detours.