We are the Chiltern Young Walkers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
2023 marks 50 years of The Ridgeway footpath!
Have you noticed signs for the Ridgeway when walking in the Chilterns?
Ever wondered about where it goes?
The Ridgeway National Trail is part of Britain’s oldest road and follows the same route over the high ground used since prehistoric times by travelers, herdsmen and soldiers. The path is in a surprisingly remote part of southern central England with views over open countryside form much of its length of 87 miles (139 km) from Overton Hill near the Avebury Stone Circle World Heritage Site in the North Wessex Downs AONB to Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns AONB.
In 2023 CYW are planning to walk the Ridgeway to celebrate its anniversary. Starting at the eastern end in our familiar patch, we’ll walk the first few sections in day walks and the sections towards the end will either be coordinated with group lifts or optional weekends away.
The seventh and final section sets off from Ogbourne St George and goes through a mixture of arable land, changing colour with the seasons, and areas of sheep or cattle grazed grassland. Some of the best views are from Smeathe’s Ridge as you ascend from Ogbourne-St-George to Barbury Castle Iron Age fort, that we'll walk past enroute. The final few miles offer glorious views across Avebury Down. Once we've reached the official end/start point of The Ridgeway National Trail (and celebrated!) we'll head back the way we came briefly before heading over to Avebury, site of the remains of Avebury stone circle and head back to our cars to return home, having conquered The Ridgeway and then some!
Note: This is a moderate walk with around 270m of ascent over the walk. Please wear appropriate clothing (no jeans, please), walking boots/shoes, bring warm layers, waterproofs, a packed lunch and plenty of water.
Meet at Avebury National Trust Car Park.
From there we will organise ourselves into cars and head to the actual start point, Ogbourne St George (where High Street intersects with Bottom Lane).
Note that the car park closes at 6pm so we will be starting promptly and keeping a good pace to ensure we get back to the cars on time.
It would be very much appreciated if you could let Beth know in advance if you're willing to take people to the walk start point in your car. At the end of the walk, we will drop those people back at their cars at Ogbourne St George.
Given this is quite a way from our patch and we plan to do the penultimate walk the day before, you may choose to stay nearby to avoid travelling back and forth and complete the last two sections of the national trail in one weekend!
The nearest budget hotel is Holiday Inn Swindon, but Swindon also has a number of other options such as Alexandra House, The Sanctuary B&B in Ogbourne itself or the Bear Hotel in Marlborough. Rooms average around £70-90 per night but there are limited options to suit all budgets. Early booking is advised.
Its suggested to pop a comment saying the options you're interested in and where you're coming from, if you are planning on driving etc so we can carpool as much as possible. We also recommend booking your accomodation asap if you're planning on staying.
We will leave at least one car at Avebury to drop people back at the walk start, and would appreciate volunteers to do the same to reduce number of ferrying trips. Parking is free for National Trust members of £7 for the day otherwise, and free for those who volunteer to take walkers to the start at Ogbourne-St-George. Please bring cash for the carpark at Avebury.
We will meet at the Avebury National Trust Carpark, use SN8 1RD but the carpark is slightly further along the road. We will then organise ourselves into cars and head off to the actual start point.
This is the actual start point - if you plan to meet us here please be there by 11am latest as we will need to get going.
