Cottenham Lode
Cottenham Lode may be Roman in origin. Its name implies that its original purpose was for water transport rather than drainage. In the medieval period in ran from docks at the end of Broad Lane to join the Roman Car Dyke at Bullock's Haste. From there, boats could navigate via the Beach Lode and the Old West River to Ely, Cambridge and beyond.
The northern section of the Lode, linking it directly to the Old West River, was added in the seventeenth century, while the southern section, the 'new cut' running towards Rampton, is even more recent.
Today, the Lode is a critical part of the parish's drainage; it takes water originating in Dry Drayton, Madingley, Girton and Oakington, which flows via the Beck Brook, and carries it straight through Cottenham to the Old West River. Water from Cottenham fields does not flow into the Lode, but is pumped directly into the Old West River via lower level drains. The Lode is heavily embanked, and in wet weather its water level is well above the surrounding land; in 2001 it came close to overflowing.
With footpaths along one, and sometimes both banks, the Lode is much used by walkers, with good views into the flat countryside beyond, it is itself a significant visual feature. The section north east of Broad Lane runs past the attractively wooded village edge. It also provides a haven for wildlife, herons being a common sight.
Credits: John Williams