Starting from home again today and with a slightly different purpose. Currently SPR don’t have any walks based in or around Wantage, I’ve been encouraged to present some that can be offered out to members and that I can lead. Decided to go on the theme of Wantage, spring line villages and the Ridgeway. So off I set! First of all we mustn’t forget King Alfred who was born in Wantage in 848/49. He became king of the West Saxons when he was in his early 20’s and then went on to be King of Anglo Saxon England when he was in his late 30’s until he died at the age of about 50. A well respected King who valued education – how fitting that he had a school named after him!
The route goes past the church and down Church Street that used to be called Back Street and was the home to many ‘tanners’. Over the road and down the enclosed pathway to Letcombe Regis, the first of the villages. There has been some clearing along here and the new growth in an around this pool, quite possibly a spring, looks very fresh.
This path goes on and finishes as the edge of the village is approached. Many old cottages to see, a good pub and a raised causeway path. The path soon diverts across fields as it makes its gradual approach to the Ridgeway.
Looking over, the wooded area of the youth hostel, used so often , can be seen on the horizon.
After going on a more or less level path the ‘big stile’ and the start of undulating fields and the serious climb up to the ridgeway are about to start. I hesitate to read a notice I hadn’t seen before which shows a permissive path across a previously unattainable field. This links in with circumnavigating Segsbury Camp, an Iron Age Hill fort. Not today but I’m keen to try this as an alternative.
One of the aspects of the route I’m taking and which I always thought was good with children is that the path goes through a small copse and gives added variety to the walk. The ‘old man’s beard’, Clematis vitalba is prolific and splendid.
Out of the wood, down a very steep slope and up again. The two horses in the field are happily munching and not at all interested. There are more in the next steep field before the final flatter expanse before the Ridgeway is reached. The views back across the Vale are always great before you reach the top.
Familiar territory here and traversed not that long ago. This is a particular chalky section and luckily not too muddy or slippery. The hill fort runs for a stretch alongside the main path and before long the road to Hungerford is reached. The Ridgeway does a staggered cross roads at this point, not too busy today.
Past the farm buildings and the way looks partially blocked- machinery for tree work but luckily all is still and quiet. This is next to a new extensive house being built. The tree felling operators are eating their lunch enjoying the sunshine and we acknowledge each other as two black labradors bound towards me. I’m greeted by a cheery hello and it takes me a moment with the sun in my eyes to recognise Juliet from Latin Down Farm where I used to take the children from school when we stayed at the Ridgeway Youth Hostel. A great advocate of outdoor education we used to build shelters in her woods, go on colour challenges, use mirrors to give us mouse, hawk etc eyes views and not to forget making toast on an open fire. We have a good chat and I’m on my way – planning to get further before I eat my lunch!
As I’ m approaching Latin Down I can see down more or less to where I live, across to the monument and the red Cornus which always marks its surround and then I spot deer down to my left at the edge of some woods.
Lunch and decision time. My original thought was to go on the path straight down from the monument and then double back and down past Goddard’s Brook to Henrietta Knight’s stables and on into Lockinge BUT the weather is splendid, so warm and clear so I decide to continue along the Ridgeway with the plan of coming off down into Betterton and then round to Lockinge/ Ardington. This is one of those stretches along this Ridgeway path where it always seems further than you anticipated!
The track is clear and easy dropping down quickly but also curving round so at no point does it seem uncomfortable. I manage to get a closer look at some wild clematis and also capture some signs of spring. I’ve also noticed catkins- life is changing!
I meet the road with Ginge and then another junction. One way I can go to Lockinge Church which would be my preference if I was leading a group or I can go on a very straight road to Ardington and meet the footpath I would normally use. I choose the later having not walked that way for a very long time and remember why – rather boring! Oh well it got me to my path leading round the back of Ardington house – no weddings today- and then back round into the village.
My plan for this walk was to also include the Millenium stones so I head back up hill in Ardington and find the rather muddy route into the wood and walk on the most straight forward route to the stones. Last of my coffee and a bit of Christmas Cake before heading home.
This route today was about 13.5 miles, it would be 14 if I included the church. My other route down from the monument would be about the same , there is one more straightforward way down if needing to be quicker or shorter. I also think I will investigate the permitted path as a way up on to the Ridgeway but feel happy that I could adjust according to any group I might have.
My app still seems to think I’m cycling!!!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 