The Village of Coveney

   One of my favourite cycle trips is to the village of Coveney, a village that sits on a rise overlooking the fens just a few miles North-West of Ely. The trip takes me vis Three Holes, Lakes End, Welney, Pymoor and Little Downham, passing through the tiny hamlet of Way Head before arriving in the village. As you cycle up the slope into the village your met by a mixture of new builds and renovated properties before seeing the beautiful parish church of St Peter ad Vincula.

   The church is made of stone and dates from the 13th century with some later additions which look to be Victorian in age. There is a large peaceful graveyard to the rear, home of some outstanding tombstones. The gates are made from timber and have some very ornate carving upon them.
   Further along the main street, you will find on the left the old school house, now a dwelling. The schoolhouse was built in 1874 and still retains its belfry

   As you travel further through the village you will see the old Primitive Methodist Chapel which has the most amazing circular stained glass window above the front porch.

   For me, the old lock-up and pound are of great interest, built in 1850 the lock-up like that in many villages was used to detain anybody found causing disorder in the village or indeed over intoxicated. It houses a single bench and the tiled roof covers a brick arched ceiling making it impossible to escape. The pound was used to hold any stray animals until their owners were found.

  So all in all the village of Coveney is an ideal place for a cyclist to stop for a refreshment break, there are no shops or pubs but the village is very interesting and friendly. For me, it's a four-hour trip but worth every mile on a nice summers day.