The story of William the Conqueror’s disastrous attempt to defeat Hereward the Wake and his men at Aldreth Causeway will be posted here in more detail but here is a brief outline of events that took place very close to Longstanton and what is now becoming Northstowe.
It is generally believed that William set up camp at Belsar’s Hill (Willingham) in the hope that he could cross the causeway to Aldreth and bring an end to the resistance centered on Ely and led by Hereward-the-Wake. Unfortunately, the wooden causeway collapsed under the weight of the Conqueror’s elite knights causing the death of many by drowning. Not even a witch could help William cross to Aldreth and bring an end to the rebellion. Not only a great warrior but I suspect an astute politician William realised that an alternative approach was needed and this he achieved by taking a non-combative approach and using political cunning to bring the monks of Ely onto his side. 
In the meantime, if you are looking to go for a walk take the path from Willingham to Aldreth across what remains of the causeway today. If you look carefully on the Willingham side you can see Belsar’s Hill where William the Conqueror made his camp. I have found it easier to drive to Aldreth and walk to Willingham. When I last tried the walk, admittedly a few years ago, it was not easy to find the correct path from Willingham village. Perhaps when they upgraded the footpaths recently as part of the Northstowe development, this situation has improved.
Some feedback and photographs from this walk would be useful and we can load them on the the Footsteps section.
