The Ridgeway is an ancient track, and is described as England's oldest road. Travellers have used The Ridgeway for at least 5000 years. Originally connected to the Dorset Coast, it provided a sustainable trading route to Norfolk and The Wash. The high dry ground made travel easy and provided a measure of protection by giving traders a commanding view, warning against potential attacks.

 

The Ridgeway is 87 miles long and can be completed in 5-6 days. Passing through four counties (Wiltshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire), it crosses the chalk downland of the North Downs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It then progresses through the Goring Gap, before following the river Thames for a short way, before rising onto the undulating hills of the Chilterns via Grim’s Ditch.