Independent Trails: Fact File.RID1
Introduction
From Avebury, the largest
Stone Circle in Europe, The Ridgeway follows a broad track along the crest of
the North Wessex Downs to Goring on the River Thames, England's most famous
river. This section of the trail provides far-reaching views over rolling downland
to the south, and down to the spring-line villages and the wide expanse of the
Thames Valley to the north.
Historical reminders abound along this section of the oldest 'road' in Britain.
Neolithic or Stone Age man left the earliest remains - the magnificent stone
circle at Avebury and Silbury Hill, the largest man-made mound in Europe, that
was constructed using antler picks and shovels made from the shoulder blades
of oxen. They also built the long barrows at West Kennet and Wayland's Smithy.
Bronze Age man left the round barrows that litter the entire route and one of
the most famous hill figures in the country, the Uffington White Horse. Vast
hill forts including Barbury, Liddington, Uffington, Rams Hill and Segsbury
Castles were built during the Iron Age. Grim's Ditch, a linear earthwork, also
dates from this period.
Other points of historical interest include the Hackpen White Horse, created
in 1838 by a local parish clerk; the 'lost' medieval villages of Snap and Upham;
Ashdown House, a superb 17th century manor house and Dragon Hill, the site of
St George's victory over the fiery beast.
From Goring to Ivinghoe Beacon, The Ridgeway winds through a landscape of beech
woodlands, chalk grassland, fertile farmland and attractive villages and small
towns, that is markedly different to the open and remote landscape of the North
wessex Downs.
Points of historical interest along this section of the trail include Grim's
Ditch, the Watlington White Mark, a hill figure cut in the 18th century by a
local vicar to give his church the optical illusion of a steeple; a New Stone
Age barrow at Whiteleaf Hill, Bronze Age round barrows and Iron Age hill forts
at Pulpit Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon.
Trail Facts
Total distance:
85 miles (137km)
Duration: 7 nights, 6 days
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 14½ miles (23km)/17
miles (27km)
Waymarking: The route is a waymarked National Trail and is
very easy to follow.
Season: All year
Starting point of holiday: Avebury
End of holiday: Ivinghoe Beacon (accommodation in Tring)
Code: RID1
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Avebury, where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Avebury to Foxhill. 16 miles (22.5km)
Day 3: Foxhill to Wantage/Letcombe Regis. 11½ miles (10.5km)
Day 4: Wantage/Letcombe Regis to Goring. 14½ miles (23km)
Day 5: Goring to Watlington. 14½ miles (23km)
Day 6: Watlington to Wendover. 17 miles (27km)
Day 7: Wendover to Tring via Ivinghoe Beacon. 16 miles (25.5km)
Day 8: Depart from Tring after breakfast
Extra nights/rest days
Avebury is the most obvious choice for an extra night, so that you can explore the many superb prehistoric sites around the village including the Avebury Circles, Silbury Hill, the Sanctuary, Seven Barrows, the West Kennet Long Barrow, the East Kennet Long Barrow, the Devil's Den and Windmill Hill, a fascinating Neolithic causewayed enclosure. The pleasant little market town Wantage is another good choice. Wendover, an attractive small Chiltern town is also worth considering for an extra night.
What's included?
Travel Information
Detailed instructions on
how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent
to you on booking. A summary is given below.
Most convenient major city and International airport: London
Outward journey from London to Avebury: There is a fast and
frequent rail service between London Paddington and Swindon. The journey takes
approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. From Swindon railway station catch a bus or
taxi to Avebury.
Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: There
is a fast and frequent rail service from Tring to London Euston. The journey
takes about 45 minutes.