Independent Trails: Fact File.RIDW2
Introduction
The western section of
The Ridgeway National Trail runs from Avebury in Wiltshire, the largest Stone
Circle in Europe, to Goring on the River Thames in Berkshire. It follows a broad
track along the crest of the North Wessex Downs that 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 along the trail 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.
Trail Facts
Total distance:
44 miles (71km)
Duration: 5 nights, 4 days
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 6½ miles (10.5km)/14½
miles (23km)
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: Goring
Code: RIDW2
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Avebury, where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Avebury to Ogbourne St George. 9 miles (14.5km)
Day 3: Ogbourne St George to Uffington Castle. 12 miles (19km)
Day 4: Uffington Castle to Wantage. 6½ miles (10.5km)
Day 5: Wantage to Goring. 14 ½ miles (23km)
Day 6: Depart from Goring 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.
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 to London Paddington. The journey takes
about 1 hour.