The RidgewayStarting in the World Heritage Site of Aveburymost of the 87 miles (139 km) of this Trail stillfollow the same route over the high groundused since prehistoric times by travellers,herdsmen and soldiers.

The vast views of rolling open downland to thewest of the River Thames in the North WessexDowns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty(AONB), where The Ridgeway runs as a broadtrack, is scattered with Iron Age forts, ancientburial mounds and chalk hill figures. Furthereast, amongst the more wooded and intimatevalleys of the Chilterns AONB, othermonuments from the past such as lengthysections of Grim’s Ditch are as easily found.

For help, advice or publications please contact:

The National Trails Office, Environment & Economy, Holton, Oxford OX33 1QQ.

Tel: 01865 810224 Fax: 01865 810207Email: ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk

or visit our website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway

Your first stepsIn partnership with Aurum Press, Natural Englandhas published an official guide for The RidgewayNational Trail written by local expert Anthony Burton(ISBN 978-1-84513-309-2).

The Trail is reasonabley served by trains and buses,particularly the eastern half – visit our website fordetails. The Trail Manager publishes acomprehensive Companion to the Trail detailing allthe accommodation, services and facilities on theTrail and close by. For a copy and to find out aboutother merchandise and information please contactthe Trail office or visit the website.

Step Back in Time

Step Back in Time

The Ridgeway

Photography © Jos Joslin, Tina Stallard, Ann Seth/Natural England;Chilterns Conservation Board; Gerry Whitlow

National Trailsin England and Wales

Chiltern woodlands

Uffington Castle

Wayland’s Smithy

Uffington White Horse and Manger

The Whitehorse Inn,Woolstone

The RidgewayStarting in the World Heritage Site of Aveburymost of the 87 miles (139 km) of this Trail stillfollow the same route over the high groundused since prehistoric times by travellers,herdsmen and soldiers.

The vast views of rolling open downland to thewest of the River Thames in the North WessexDowns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty(AONB), where The Ridgeway runs as a broadtrack, is scattered with Iron Age forts, ancientburial mounds and chalk hill figures. Furthereast, amongst the more wooded and intimatevalleys of the Chilterns AONB, othermonuments from the past such as lengthysections of Grim’s Ditch are as easily found.

For help, advice or publications please contact:

The National Trails Office, Environment & Economy, Holton, Oxford OX33 1QQ.

Tel: 01865 810224 Fax: 01865 810207Email: ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk

or visit our website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway

Your first stepsIn partnership with Aurum Press, Natural Englandhas published an official guide for The RidgewayNational Trail written by local expert Anthony Burton(ISBN 978-1-84513-309-2).

The Trail is reasonabley served by trains and buses,particularly the eastern half –visit our website fordetails. The Trail Manager publishes acomprehensive Companion to the Trail detailing allthe accommodation, services and facilities on theTrail and close by. For a copy and to find out aboutother merchandise and information please contactthe Trail office or visit the website.

Step Back in Time

Step Back in Time

The Ridgeway

Photography © Jos Joslin, Tina Stallard, Ann Seth/Natural England;Chilterns Conservation Board; Gerry Whitlow

National Trailsin England and Wales

Chiltern woodlands

Uffington Castle

Wayland’s Smithy

Uffington White Horse and Manger

The Whitehorse Inn,Woolstone

SWINDON

MARLBOROUGH

OVERTONHILL

IVINGHOEBEACON

WANTAGE

DIDCOT

WATLINGTON

STREATLEY

RIVER THAMES

M4

M40M25

GORING ON THAMES

WALLINGFORD

WENDOVER

TRING

CHINNOR

PRINCES RISBOROUGH

NEWBURY

READING

OXFORD

HIGH WYCOMBE

AYLESBURY

NORTH WESSEXDOWNS

THECHILTERNS

AVEBURY

LAMBOURN

EAST ILSLEY

ASHBURY

PEWSEY

HUNGERFORD

GREAT MISSENDEN

KeyThe Ridgeway National Trail

Motorway

Main Road

River Thames

Railway Station

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

N

Walk, cycle or rideEscape for up to a day or a week on foot,bike or horseback along or around thispeaceful and not too strenuous Trail, whereskylarks and corn buntings still sing to keeptravellers company. Cyclists and horse riderscan use all the western half of the Trail andnote that recreational vehicles can alsolegally use around a third of this section,mostly only during the summer – in realitythey represent just a handful of users.

April through to November is the best timeto visit when the path surface, the wildlifeand the views are at their best.

There are many promoted circular routesalong the length of The Ridgeway, usuallypassing a pub, that enable you to start andfinish a walk or ride in the same place – seeour website for details.

In good companyMany famous people have made their mark orunwound and found inspiration on The Ridgeway:the poets Edward Thomas and John Betjemanrelished The Ridgeway, the singer Marianne Faithfulremembers it fondly from her childhood when shelived locally, and all the Country’s Prime Ministershave enjoyed strolling along part of the Trail as itpasses through the grounds of Chequers. Beforethem all, King Alfred the Saxon King lead his armyalong The Ridgeway to victory against the Danes atthe Battle of Ashdown in 871AD.

Step Back in Time

0 5 10 miles

0 5 10 15 kilometres

Cyclists near Uffington Castle

Walkers near Wendover

Bluebells on Grim’s Ditch east of Wallingford

Red kite

Horse riders above Sparsholt

St Botolph’s, Swyncombe

Ashdown House south of Ashbury