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The Ridgeway

The Ridgeway runs from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. The trail follows part of an ancient track established by prehistoric man that stretched across the country from Dorset to Norfolk. It passes through two distinct landscapes.

The western half of the trail, from Avebury to Goring, follows a broad track along the North Wessex Downs, with far-reaching views over rolling open downland to the south and the wide expanse of the Thames Valley to the north.

The eastern half, from Goring to Ivinghoe Beacon, begins by following the banks of the River Thames before heading into the Chiltern Hills, through a landscape of beech woodlands and fertile farmland dotted with attractive villages and towns. The Ridgeway has a long and rich history. Stone Age man left the long barrows at West Kennet, Wayland's Smithy, and Whiteleaf Hill as well as the extraordinary stone circle at Avebury and Silbury Hill, the largest man-made mound in Europe. Bronze Age people left the round barrows that litter the route and the Uffington White Horse, one of the most famous hill figures in the country. Grim's Ditch and vast hill forts including Barbury, Liddington, Uffington, Segsbuy, Pulpit Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon were built during the Iron Age. In the Dark Ages The Ridgeway was the main route for the Saxons and Vikings during their advances into Wessex. From medieval times until about 200 years ago, it was drovers moving livestock, rather than armies, who used The Ridgeway.


Avebury © CWH


Wayland's Smithy © CWH

 

The Ridgeway - Itinerary, Prices and Dates

Tour Code
Itinerary
Tour Price
RID1
7 nights, 6 days walking
More Information>>
£435 per person
RID2
9 nights, 8 days walking
More Information>>
£560 per person

Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room.  If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £19 per night.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops.   For each extra night add £38 per person

All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency

Total Distance
85 miles (137km)
Start and Finish
Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon (accommodation in Tring)
Availability
All year
Travel to and from the holiday
It is very easy to travel to the start (and return home from the end) of the holiday using public transport.  Please click here for more information
Climate
Click here for a summary of monthly average temperatures and rainfall for The Ridgeway


We also offer The Ridgeway in two sections, each of which is a rewarding walk in its own right, giving those with less time the opportunity to complete the trail in stages.

Wessex Downs Section - Itinerary, Prices and Dates

Tour Code
Itinerary
Tour Price
RIDW1
4 nights, 3 days walking
More Information>>
£245 per person
RIDW2
5 nights, 4 days walking
More Information>>
£310 per person

Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room.  If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £19 per night.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops.   For each extra night add £38 per person

All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency

Total Distance
42 miles (67km)
Start and Finish
Avebury to Goring
Availability
All year
Travel to and from the holiday
It is very easy to travel to the start (and return home from the end) of the holiday using public transport.  Please click here for more information
Climate
Click here for a summary of monthly average temperatures and rainfall for the Wessex Downs Section

 

Chiltern Hills Section - Itinerary, Prices and Dates

Tour Code
Itinerary
Tour Price
RIDE1
4 nights, 3 days walking
More Information>>
£245 per person
RIDE2
5 nights, 4 days walking
More Information>>
£310 per person

Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room.  If you are walking on your own there is a single supplement of £19 per night.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops.   For each extra night add £38 per person

All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency

Total Distance
43 miles (69km)
Start and Finish
Goring to Ivinghoe Beacon (return to Tring)
Availability
All year
Travel to and from the holiday
It is very easy to travel to the start (and return home from the end) of the holiday using public transport.  Please click here for more information
Climate
Click here for a summary of monthly average temperatures and rainfall for the Chiltern Hills Section

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Contours Walking Holidays, Gramyre, 3 Berrier Road, Greystoke, CA11 OUB, UK.      Tel: +44 (0) 17684 80451    EMAIL: info@contours.co.uk

© 2007 Contours Walking Holidays