It says in the Caravan Club book that this site is within a few miles of the A1 but surrounded by trees so that you feel you're a million miles away from the daily bustle, Ashridge Farm Caravan Club Site is a perfect place to relax and unwind. I would definitely agree.
We took a short walk from the caravan site to the village of Ashwell and discovered a very interesting village of varying architecture from the 14th century to the present day.
Furthermore, we came across Ashwell Springs. I've since learnt, that the water which rise from Ashwell Springs feeds the River Rhee, one of the main sources of the River Cam which eventually after joining the River Ouse, flows out to sea at the Wash.
To think, we found a source of the River Cam, that runs through Cambridge and where we had taken a punt tour. I now know how Joanna Lumley felt, when she found the source of the Nile!
I found this quite fascinating, so decided to look further to find out why the Springs are there.
Ashwell village lies on a impermeable layer of chalk, the Totternhoe Stone.
Rainwater percolates through the Chalk in the surrounding area until it reaches the Totternhoe Stone at Ashwell, and then emerges from the ground as hillside springs.
Ashwell Springs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) protecting rare creatures living in the clean spring water. I noticed a good selection of wildflowers growing in the village and around the banks of the Springs which I'm sure attracts a wide variety of wildlife.
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