The Water Meadows extend around the north of the village. They separate Hemingford Abbots from the neighbouring villages of Houghton and Wyton.
Footpath 5 leaves Hemingford Abbots, across the Bailey Bridge and over the Water Meadows by means of a tarmac path. On reaching the river the at Houghton Mill you can either walk left along the edge of the Water Meadows and river towards Godmanchester (footpath 7) , right, again along the edge of the Water Meadows and river towards Hemingford Grey (footpath 8) or cross the river and enter the delightful village of Houghton.
The Water Meadows fall within the Conservation and area of Area of Best Landscape. The meadows are generally open, flat expanses of pasture land, enabling long distance views of the surroundings, with the meadows bordered by mature waterside trees. The Water Meadows are designed to flood when water levels in the Great Ouse rise. During the long periods when the meadows are not flooded the pasture land hosts numerous wild flowers and is used for hay making and grazing.