Day Two of the Uffingdon White Horse Camping Weekend Away (UWHCWA) – this walk head west along the Ridgeway and explore the Lambourn Downs in a circular 10 mile loop.
Don’t forget to bring some lunch, drinks, and any other snacks you’d like on the way!
The meeting point for this walk is trig point at the historic Uffington Castle – the “summit” (261 m) of Whitehorse Hill. (SU300863). The walk leader will start the main walk from here, setting off at 10.30am.
For all those camping with the group at Britchcombe Farm Campsite, we’ll set off from the campsite at 10.00am sharp, with a short climb up Dragon Hill to the starting point at Uffington Castle. If you’re not camping with us, or just joining for the day, parking (charges may apply) is available at the nearby White Horse Hill car park (SU293865). From there, it’s a short 1 km walk to the meeting point, by following the Lambourn Valley Way, and turning left onto the Ridgeway up onto Whitehorse Hill – you shouldn’t miss the meeting point! (If you’re running late, do let the walk leader know).
The walk sets off west from Uffington Castle, along the Ridgeway for a few kilometers before we stop to explore Wayland’s Smithy – a Neolithic long barrow and chamber tomb site.
We’ll then head south off the Ridgeway, passing the Iron Age Fort of Alfred’s Castle to the grand parks and estate of Ashdown House – now home to The Who’s Pete Townshend!
Heading east, we pass the mysterious and legendary Sarsen stones as we hike over Weathercock Hill and onto the Lambourn Downs.
To complete the circle, we’ll then take the Lambourn Valley Way north, back to our starting out at Uffington Castle.
Start Location (Walk): SN7 7QJ or 51.5755 -1.5675
Grid Ref (Walk): SU300863
Start Location (Car Park): SN7 7QN (Nearest – check map) or 51.5771 -1.5779
Grid Ref (Car Park): SU293865