Today there were four of us walking, Betty, Anna, Mirella and myself. I even got picked up from home and we then met the other two in the Waitrose Car Park- courtesy of their toilet facilities! Then up to the NT car Park at White Horse Hill. We walked first toward Wayland’s Smithy, reminiscing about our trip the previous January, in the opposite direction. I never tire of visiting this mystical place.
Having had a quick wonder we’re off again; for a short while we followed the Ridgeway, very soon there is a major junction and we turn off to the left, passed Odstone Barn. As we turn again I look back into the trees which bound this point , an impressive copse that is used for forest school type activities.
We walk on and cross and our path is almost through an avenue of trees, boundaries to our left indicate that we are approaching a significant estate. We turn again keeping woods on our left and pass Alfred’s Castle – a hill fort. We explore a little and I am able to pint out Ashdown House to the others. A doll’s house like building designed at the time of the plague for an aristocrat and his friends and as a base for hunting. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/ashdown/the-winter-queen-and-the-history-of-ashdown-house
Our path turns near the end of the estate gardens and then heads off for Upper Lambourn. This is a hidden village not really seen from the road to Lambourn. Very quaint and horsey! This sign rather backs up this comment.
At this point we take a steep turn to the left and climb up what seems like a never ending hill. Our track takes us around the edge of gallops, this is a very serious affair in this part of the downs and is the locality for some serious horse trainers.Whilst there are well defined paths some new structures such as warming up circles seem to divert our direction. Back on track, just the wrong side of one gallop! We head along a straight path and pass several small tumuli up towards White Horse Hill. We cross the Ridgeway and then we climb onto the Hill Fort and over to the chalk horse. From here. It is a route across fields back to the car Park.
Another good 12 mile walk !
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 