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The Modern Antiquarian Forum » The Ridgeway » Ridgeway National Trail |
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Zariadris 286 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 18:24
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Hi folks, My wife and I are hoping to make a long-dreamed of trip to England around mid-March and are thinking of hiking the Ridgeway National Trail. It's my understanding that it includes Avebury along the way, and is purportedly the oldest track in Britain. Having studied Britain's megalithic heritage from a distance all these years, we are terribly excited to finally have a chance to visit a select few in person. The trail sounds like a perfect way to experience this ancient landscape. Has anyone here hiked the path in part or in whole? Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be most appreciated. Also, what can we expect weather-wise in mid to late March? Thanks very much in advance... Z.
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Sanctuary 4670 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 18:39
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Zariadris wrote: Hi folks, My wife and I are hoping to make a long-dreamed of trip to England around mid-March and are thinking of hiking the Ridgeway National Trail. It's my understanding that it includes Avebury along the way, and is purportedly the oldest track in Britain. Having studied Britain's megalithic heritage from a distance all these years, we are terribly excited to finally have a chance to visit a select few in person. The trail sounds like a perfect way to experience this ancient landscape. Has anyone here hiked the path in part or in whole? Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be most appreciated. Also, what can we expect weather-wise in mid to late March? Thanks very much in advance... Z. Hi Z, Like many here I suspect, I have walked certain parts of the Ridgeway in my time and enjoyed every mile of the bits I have. It was always my intention to walk its entire length but other things in life always seemed to get in the way. Some info here for you although you have probably seen it already. Books are also available detailing every inch of the way with advice on camping and accommodation etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ridgeway For the past couple of years the weather hasn't been too bad toward the end of March but that is no guarantee it will be the same this year if what we have been given so far is anything to go by!! Have a great time whatever. Regards, Roy
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Sanctuary 4670 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 18:43
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Sanctuary wrote: Zariadris wrote: Hi folks, My wife and I are hoping to make a long-dreamed of trip to England around mid-March and are thinking of hiking the Ridgeway National Trail. It's my understanding that it includes Avebury along the way, and is purportedly the oldest track in Britain. Having studied Britain's megalithic heritage from a distance all these years, we are terribly excited to finally have a chance to visit a select few in person. The trail sounds like a perfect way to experience this ancient landscape. Has anyone here hiked the path in part or in whole? Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be most appreciated. Also, what can we expect weather-wise in mid to late March? Thanks very much in advance... Z. Hi Z, Like many here I suspect, I have walked certain parts of the Ridgeway in my time and enjoyed every mile of the bits I have. It was always my intention to walk its entire length but other things in life always seemed to get in the way. Some info here for you although you have probably seen it already. Books are also available detailing every inch of the way with advice on camping and accommodation etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ridgeway For the past couple of years the weather hasn't been too bad toward the end of March but that is no guarantee it will be the same this year if what we have been given so far is anything to go by!! Have a great time whatever. Regards, Roy PS Scroll down to External Links for useful maps and information.
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Evergreen Dazed 1881 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 19:05
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Zariadris wrote: Hi folks, My wife and I are hoping to make a long-dreamed of trip to England around mid-March and are thinking of hiking the Ridgeway National Trail. It's my understanding that it includes Avebury along the way, and is purportedly the oldest track in Britain. Having studied Britain's megalithic heritage from a distance all these years, we are terribly excited to finally have a chance to visit a select few in person. The trail sounds like a perfect way to experience this ancient landscape. Has anyone here hiked the path in part or in whole? Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be most appreciated. Also, what can we expect weather-wise in mid to late March? Thanks very much in advance... Z. Hi Z, The trail itself starts (or ends depending on which way you choose to walk!) at the site of a stone circle called 'The Sanctuary'. (Sadly the stones are long gone, but posts mark where they would have stood). This is a little way from Avebury itself, which can be accessed by taking a footpath off the ridgeway nearby. It's not far, perhaps a 40-50 min walk. It would help alot if you could get hold of an ordnance survey map of the avebury area. The ridgeway path itself does not go through Avebury. Weather is pot luck in March, you could have dry warm weather or it could rain solidly for 2 weeks! Probably best to prepare for rain in any case, as the weather is always quite unpredictable here. The ridgeway path itself can be quite hard going in parts when it's wet as some vehicles which also use the path have left it quite rutted, but that's only in certain areas. The trail either passes through or by lots of prehistoric sites, including Waylands smithy long barrow, the Uffington white horse and many Iron Age hill forts and Bronze Age barrows. A decent guide book, if you can get hold of it, is 'The Ridgeway' by Anthony Burton. You will lots of information in there, including maps, accommodation info and info on some of the ancient sites. I dont know if you are intending to camp or stay in B&Bs, hotels etc but accomodation can be tricky, there's not an awful lot on the route itself, and you may find you have to plan quite carefully in advance. Whether the ridgeway itself is an ancient route is actually disputed, but traditionally it has always been thought of as such. I think it is, for what's its worth! Hope this has Helped!
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harestonesdown 1067 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 19:34
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Zariadris wrote: Hi folks, My wife and I are hoping to make a long-dreamed of trip to England around mid-March and are thinking of hiking the Ridgeway National Trail. It's my understanding that it includes Avebury along the way, and is purportedly the oldest track in Britain. Having studied Britain's megalithic heritage from a distance all these years, we are terribly excited to finally have a chance to visit a select few in person. The trail sounds like a perfect way to experience this ancient landscape. Has anyone here hiked the path in part or in whole? Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be most appreciated. Also, what can we expect weather-wise in mid to late March? Thanks very much in advance... Z. About 1 mile before you reach the end of the Ridgeway you'll see a sign on your left for Fyfield Down nature reserve, take a right there and it will lead you straight into Avebury. The alternative is to finish the Ridgeway at it's end but the walk from The Sanctuary to Avebury is a bit of a hairy one along the A4 and not recommended for the faint hearted, though there are alternative paths too, if you're competent with a map. Really do try and avoid the A4 though.
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tjj 3606 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 19:58
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I agree with all the other posts. The Ridgeway National Trail Companion would be a useful purchase - my version is divided into six sections with a map for each section, places to stay, useful contacts/tel numbers e.g. emergency numbers etc.
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Harryshill 510 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 19:59
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Do you intend to walk the entire length of the Ridgeway - From the Wash in Norfolk to Dorset or only go as far as Avebury? The weather can be mixed in March. Wintry - to spring like, and even a little like summer like, at times. But I would exspect, winds and showers as norm.
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Evergreen Dazed 1881 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 20:18
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Harryshill wrote: Do you intend to walk the entire length of the Ridgeway - From the Wash in Norfolk to Dorset or only go as far as Avebury To avoid any confusion for the original poster, the national trail runs from Ivinghoe Beacon to Overton Hill (near Avebury).
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Harryshill 510 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 20:28
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Fair enough. I was thinking of the whole of the Ridgeway route.
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Harryshill 510 posts |
Jan 19, 2013, 20:28
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Fair enough. I was thinking of the whole of the Ridgeway route.
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