The Ridgeway Walking Holidays

Walking the Ridgeway is to walk on Britain's oldest ‘Road’, a route through the heart of England that has been in constant use for 5000 years! You cannot help but feel the spirit of many ancient walkers who have walked this trail beneath the surface.

The Ridgeway walking trail follows the chalk hills between Avebury in Wiltshire and Tring in Buckinghamshire, part of a busy Neolithic ‘highway’ that stretched across the country from Dorset to Norfolk.

The 85 mile (137km) Ridgeway National Trail begins at Overton Hill, near Avebury, and heads east on a long and particularly beautiful stretch of downland path along the North Wessex Downs with wide exhilarating views over the rolling countryside of Wiltshire.

Leaving the wilderness of the Wessex Downs you descend into the broad civilised landscape of the Thames Valley, a mixture of ancient deciduous woodlands, rich farmland and well kept country villages. From Goring you follow the riverside banks of the River Thames, and up into the chalky Chiltern Hills on a roller coaster walk of deciduous woodland and wide chalk downs along the Chiltern Ridge to reach Ivinghoe Beacon at the end of the Ridgeway.

Within the few first steps into your walk you are made aware this is a significant ancient route. The remarkable Neolithic Avebury Stone Circle, dates from 2800 BC, more interesting and evocative than Stonehenge and a designated World Heritage Site. You pass the markers of the Sanctuary, a stone circle and Waylands Smithy, an accessible chambered long barrow with a fascinating legend. Ascend Silbury Hill, an Iron Age hill-fort the largest man-made mound in Europe. Visualise the commanding view from Liddington Hillfort, believed to be the site of the battle of Badonicas where the historical Ancient British King, Arthur, defeated the invading Saxon army around 500 AD.

The trail leads to the Uffington White Horse, one of the most famous hill figures in the country, a huge 370ft long White Horse chalk figure cut into the hill dating from the Bronze Age.

Grim's Ditch and vast hill forts including Barbury, Liddington, Uffington, Segsbuy, Pulpit Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon were all 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.

Many observers have noted the proximity of the Ridgeway with the rash of crop circles that have emerged in the countryside alongside the route. Will you notice some?

Please call to speak to us about your walking holiday or further information or advice on walking the Ridgeway, our walk team who will be delighted to help you.

Celtic Trails is one of Britain’s most experienced walking companies providing bespoke walking itineraries for clients who appreciate high standards of service, comfort and organisation.

We will plan the ideal walking holiday for You . You simply choose when to go.

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