The Ridgeway - 10 Days & 9 Nights
- A long-distance walk through the open landscapes of the North Wessex Downs.
- Visiting the largest Stone Circle in Europe, in Avebury.
- The historic remains of Barbury and Uffington Castle.
- Discovering the mystery of White Horse Hill.
- The attractive villages and small towns past Goring.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Avebury and overnightThe official start of the Ridgeway is Overton Hill. However due to a lack availability here you will have your first night in Avebury; if you arrive early then you can take some time to visit the Standing Stones.Â
B&B Dorwyn Manor offers comfortable accommodation in Avebury. There is free private parking available on site. The rooms come with a private en-suite bathroom and feature a flat-screen TV, DVD player and kettle and wifi access.
This stunning contemporary self catering farm house offers, comfortable rooms set in the peaceful surroundings of the farm located just outside of Marlborough.
A Unique B&B steeped in history, during WW2 The Lodge was the village machine gun post and the railings were scrapped during the Second World War and in the 1990s The Lodge was a recording studio and home to Composer Roger Bolton. In 2003, The Lodge opened its door as a Bed and Breakfast. The Lodge is full of antiques which cover some 400 years of English cabinet making. The rooms offer comfortable King Size beds, flat screen TV’s, wi-fi and complimentary beverages etc. too, with a fine collection of antiquarian prints displayed in both rooms. Please note that The Lodge only offers a vegetarian breakfast.
The walk today starts a few miles away from the official start point of the Ridgeway, so with your back to the Red Lion pub in the centre of Avebury you have a couple options on how to get onto the trail. We suggest doing the slighty longer route shown as this path takes you directly past the wonderful Neolithic standing stones just outside of Avebury. Eventually this path winds down through "the Sanctuary" onto the official start point of "The Ridgeway" from here you can follow the historic "oldest road" in Britain to your first nights' accommodation.
The Inn with the Well is geared up for walkers on the Ridgeway. The rooms are spacious, offering superior en-suite bathrooms with both bath and shower facilities, a free view colour TV, free wi-fi, a hospitality tray with tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, heated towel rail with crisp, clean towels, an iron and ironing board.
Overtown Manor Farmhouse has been in the same family for over 4 generations.
Set in the heart of the North Wessex Downs the original house was built in 1690 and extended again in the 18th century. Five acres of farmland and gardens provides an oasis of peace and quiet, dark skies and a garden from which Nancy sources most of the seasonal ingredients for the home cooked food that Overtown Manor is famous for.
If you stayed overnight in Ogbourne St. George retrace your steps back onto the Ridgeway trail from your accommodation and carry on following the official path towards Foxhill. After leaving Foxhill there is a left turn shortly aftewards if you are staying in Bishopstone (around 200 metres from Foxhill - or you can walk along a bit further to the Ridgeway Farm and take a left turn onto Idstone Hill Road to reach Bishopstone.) Carrying on along the path you will eventually reach the turn off to Woolstone. If staying in Woolstone you have another 2km walk off the Ridgeway Path to reach your accommodation in Woolstone.
The White Horse is one of Britain's oldest Inns and with its thatched roof, oak beams, log fires it offers a warm welcome. Built in Elizabethan times, the pub itself is almost half a century old and is set in the olde worlde village of Woolstone. Food can be enjoyed inside in the oak beamed eating area or, weather permitting, outside in the garden. They have a lunch and evening menu, and on Sundays offer a traditional Sunday lunch. The bar area, with its log fires and olde worlde atmosphere, offers an excellent choice of real ales, wines from around the world, fine cognacs a wide range of malt whiskies.
If leaving from Woolstone retrace your steps back to the Ridgeway trail (or if you have time take a detour and visit White Horse Hill). After rejoining the path follow the trail until you reach the left turn off for Segbury castle towards Letcombe Regis. Walk down the hill into the village of Letcombe Regis and then onward to Wantage if your overnight is situated there.
You are assured the warmest of welcomes at the Greyhound Inn. This 18th century free house, located in the centre of the pretty village of Letcombe Regis, is the perfect place to relax and unwind after your day’s walk. This is traditional English Village Inn, where you may enjoy the vibrant atmosphere in the bar and dining area. When you wish to retire to your room, you will find most comfortable lodging, the en suite rooms having Hypnos mattresses on the beds and crisp white linen. Luxury handmade natural bath and body products may be found in the bathrooms. All rooms have everything one would expect, including free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs with Freeview, tea and coffee making facilities (with fresh milk!), and little extras such as homemade biscuits.
Quince Cottage is a large thatched house, dating from the 17th Century with later additions. Originally 2 cottages it was converted to one dwelling about 30 years ago. Guest rooms have comfortable beds, flat screen TV, Tea & Coffee making gear and WiFi access.
Overlooking the historic market place of Wantage in Oxfordshire for over 500 years, The Bear Hotel has always been a staging point for weary travellers and today provides the perfect venue for a relaxing stop-over. This is the largest hotel in Wantage with 34 en-suite rooms which are all furnished to a modern standard.
This section of the walk is fairly easy with most of the walking on flat broad, grassy paths. On a clear day you can see the Chiltern Hills in the distance which the Ridgeway later travels. After the road crossing, more trees become apparent and the path starts to undulate slightly. You gradually descend into Streatly on the west bank of the River Thames before you cross over to the bustling town of Goring.
The Miller is a haven of laid back luxury in the idyllic Thames-side village of Goring, overlooking beautiful South Oxfordshire and West Berkshire countryside. All the amenities you require are included in each stylish, individually designed room at the Miller of Mansfield. Overlooking the garden, the informal restaurant serves local produce on its modern British menu. Real ales and fine wines are available in the bar.
Chaddleworth is a welcoming house with peaceful and comfortable bedrooms offering tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryers and a television in each room. Free wifi is also available. Chaddleworth was built in 1935 and has been a family home for over 20 years. It sits within an acre of well loved garden and is surrounded by fields. The garden used to be the Orchard for the estate known as Cleeve Court. A well known English botanist, plant collector, explorer and author Francis Kindon-Ward had the house build for his first wife Florinda to live in.
A Victorian Gothic riverside family home set in 16 acres of beautiful grounds with views over the Thames to the Ridgeway. All rooms are comfortably furnished and have free wifi, TV/DVD players and tea and Nespresso coffee-making facilities. As well as the standard bed and breakfast facilities, they are able to offer use of the tennis court and the indoor swimming pool.
This stretch of the Ridgeway is very enjoyable and highlights the contrast from the previous days walking in the remote and open countryside. You follow the River Thames (England’s most famous river) for the first 5 or so miles and pass charming little villages. The walking is on narrow secluded paths and in the springtime these are covered with bluebells and wood anemones. When you reach Nuttfield the path heads north and you pass Swyncombe and then up to Watlington which officially is the smallest town in England.
This B&B is all geared up to walkers on the Ridgeway and offer comfortable accommodations with all the amenities that you require.
This 11 mile section is a pleasant days walk. It is fairly short so you can take your time and enjoy the sights and possibly take a detour to Lewknor or Chinnor if you have time. The walking is mainly on sheltered beech woodland trails where the wildflowers dominate the surroundings. Unfortunately a short main road walk follows as you come into Princes Risborough which is the biggest town you will have seen so far on the walk.
The Greyhound Inn is a small, family-run country hotel with eight exclusive rooms, which means they can offer an unrivalled personal level of service. You can enjoy the benefits of having one of the top local restaurants on the premises. So, after a day of walking you can return to savour the delights of their top chef. Some of their rooms are in the main hotel building, some are in a newer building at the rear.
The Greyhound is a family run pub that offers comfortable accommodation for walkers. All rooms have tea/coffee facilities and TV’s. They offer great pub dinners and local ales.
This section is the most undulating section of the walk with several climbs in an out of valleys so even although it is a short day if can be quite tough. Wendover which was mentioned in the doomsday book, serves for a good halfway stop and has an attractive centre with old cosy pubs. From here to Wiggington you pass through woodlands and you will be surrounded by beech trees, your overnight is Tring which is slightly off the path but will be your base for the next 2 nights.
They are a small, family-run country hotel with eight exclusive rooms, which means they can offer an unrivalled personal level of service. You can enjoy the benefits of having one of the top local restaurants on the premises. So, after a day of walking you can return to savour the delights of their top chef. Some of their rooms are in the main hotel building, some are in a newer building at the rear.
They are a small, family-run country hotel with eight exclusive rooms, which means they can offer an unrivalled personal level of service. You can enjoy the benefits of having one of the top local restaurants on the premises. So, after a day of walking you can return to savour the delights of their top chef. Some of their rooms are in the main hotel building, some are in a newer building at the rear.
From Tring this last section of the walk up to Ivinghoe Beacon is wonderful, it takes around 5 miles to reach the end but you have to come back to Tring for your overnight. The path up is fairly steep and you pass through Duchies Piece Nature Reserve before emerging onto Pitstone Hill where the views for the rest of the walk to Ivinghoe Beacon are outstanding. The last two miles are undulating but you will be rewarded with views over the Vale of Aylesbury and you can also look back from where you have followed the Ridgeway path. Take time to reflect at the journey you have taken along Britains Oldest Road. Onward Travel We base your last two nights in the large town of Tring as onward travel is easier from here. There is a train station in Tring and you can reach London Euston in 40 mins from here.
They are a small, family-run country hotel with eight exclusive rooms, which means they can offer an unrivalled personal level of service. You can enjoy the benefits of having one of the top local restaurants on the premises. So, after a day of walking you can return to savour the delights of their top chef. Some of their rooms are in the main hotel building, some are in a newer building at the rear.
They are a small, family-run country hotel with eight exclusive rooms, which means they can offer an unrivalled personal level of service. You can enjoy the benefits of having one of the top local restaurants on the premises. So, after a day of walking you can return to savour the delights of their top chef. Some of their rooms are in the main hotel building, some are in a newer building at the rear.
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
This trip has a carbon score of 8kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 8kg is equivalent to 12 pints of local beer at a bar. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?If you are looking for an escape from city life and happy to walk without meeting many others then this is the walk for you. From remote, rolling countryside to chalk woodland and attractive small villages, this walk will not disappoint.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
The way is on well maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields and on some minor roads. It does involve some steep ascent and descent from the escarpment but in general the walking is fairly easy.
You will stay in carefully selected B&B’s, guesthouses, country pubs and small hotels. Your room will always have an ensuite or private bathroom. A delicious breakfast is always included.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you, subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.
Solo Walkers
This walking holiday is not available to solo walkers due to restrictions with the baggage transfers.
The Ridgeway is a National Trail and is fully way marked and easy to follow. Wooden Posts are usually at every intersection so you should not get lost. A comprehensive guidebook and map are supplied with your holiday.
- Hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation in en-suite rooms wherever possible.
- Door to door baggage transfer.
- A detailed info pack, guide book and map for the group leader.
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.
- GPS tracks and detailed mapping with our Macs Adventure smartphone app.
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
- Travel Insurance.
- Personal Equipment.
- Additional nights
The Ridgeway is well served by public transport and we encourage this for Ridgeway walkers. The closest railway station to Avebury is Swindon (12 miles away) and from here you can catch a bus (30mins) to Avebury. You can reach Swindon from London Paddington in 1 hour. There is no secure parking, limited on street unsecure parking is available.
If you are walking the full Ridgeway path then you will finish in Ivinghoe Beacon, we use accommodation in Tring for your last night as it is easier for onward travel. There is a train station in Tring and you can reach London Euston in 40 mins. If you are looking to return to Avebury to get your car then you need to go via London to get back to Swindon and then take the bus to Avebury (3 hrs) and many changes.
For your travel plans the best advice can be found on the Traveline Website.
Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.Â
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.Â
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
As far in advance as possible! We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the walk can get very booked up in the summer months. If booking at short notice we will always try and accommodate your plans.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.
The Ridgeway is very enjoyable at any time between March and October although the most popular favourite time of year for walking is in the Spring and the Autumn.
We recommend you travel by train as this is the most efficient way of reaching the start and finish point of the walk.  There is no secure parking in Avebury and it is very hard to get back to your car from the finish point.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
You can use local bus services or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
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At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided hiking or biking adventure.
This is active travel led by you.
You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.
We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.
We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.
Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.