Welcome to Soham—a small town with a surprisingly deep and fascinating past. Set between Ely and Newmarket, Soham sits on a historic ridge that once formed the only dry route to the Isle of Ely. This unique setting shaped both its layout and its story.
On this trail, you’ll uncover a place that was once connected not by roads, but by water. Soham Mere—an inland “sea”—linked the town to major trade routes, bringing goods and prosperity from across the region and beyond. From busy docks and merchant houses to rare surviving features like the historic Steelyard, traces of this rich trading past still remain hidden in plain sight.
As you walk, you’ll journey through thousands of years of history—from early settlements and Saxon origins to a thriving market town and the community you see today. Soham may appear quiet at first glance, but its streets hold stories waiting to be discovered.
This walk is about 6.2 kilometres (3.9 miles) mostly flat and should take you between 2 to 3 hours of easy walking pace to complete.
I suggest you park your car on Fountain Lane Car Park – Fountain Ln, Soham, ELY CB7 5HA. Its free
Soham
The Old Steelyard
The Ambulance Shed
United Reform Church
Soham Salvation Army
Soham Commons
Benjamin Lany
The Grammar School
Fountain Inn
St Andrew’s Church
Poppies
The Old Bank
The Manor House
The Red Lion
Soham The Ship and other pubs
Soham Lode
Addison House
Beechurst
Soham War Memorial
Soham Rail Disaster
St Andrew’s House
CofE School