Travelling back to Hampshire on possibly the slowest train in existence gives us the chance to reflect on the last week and what we have achieved.
According to the guide book, the Ridgeway is an 86.5 miles (139km) National Trail going from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. We are told:
“Walking the Ridgeway National Trail takes you on a journey through a landscape steeped in history, following old trackways that have been used since pre-historic times past the remains of Neolithic burial mounds and Iron Age hill forts with commanding views. “
I certainly don’t disagree with that, it has been a hell of a journey!
Here it is expressed in summary:
Route:
Distance and Time:
Although the actual trail is 86.5 miles long, walking too and from hotels added to the actual distance, here is what we actually did.
Day 1: Distance 22km Time 8 hours
Day 2: Distance 19km Time 6.5 hours
Day 3: Distance 24km Time 7.5 hours
Day 4: Distance 26.5km Time 8.5 hours
Day 5: Distance 27.5km Time 9 hours
Day 6: Distance 24km Time 8 hours
Day 7: Distance 27.5km Time 9.5 hours
Day 8: Distance 10.75km Time 3.5 hours
Total Distance: 181.25km (113 miles)
Total Time: 60.5 hours
The Guide Book
- Thistle Express – Swindon
- Pros – clean, convenient, pleasant staff
- Cons – no restaurant, breakfast woeful, smelt of poo.
- Inn with the Well – Ogbourne St George
- Pros – clean, large room, lovely food
- Cons – grumpy staff, traffic noise, too hot
- Helen Browning’s Royal Oak – Bishopstone
- Pros – good shower, air con!, nice breakfast
- Cons – small room, dinner so-so
- The Bear – Wantage
- Pros – very good meal, quaint, quiet
- Cons – dated room, average breakfast
- The Swan – Streatley
- Pros – good food, lovely views, comfortable room
- Cons – a bit vulgar and corporate
- The Fat Fox – Watlington
- Pros – pleasant staff, comfy bed
- Cons – very disorganised, burnt food
- The Red Lion – Longwich
- Pros – lovely staff and customers, tasty food
- Cons – dated room, no breakfast
- Penbury Manor – Tring
- Pros – fantastic food, lovely room
- Cons – average breakfast, very expensive, poor shower
- Astor Court Hotel – Fitzrovia
- Pros – clean, convenient, nice room
- Cons – noisy, hot
As a sign-off from this adventure, I will quote once more from the guidebook:
“The Ridgeway has been here for thousands of years, so take your time and enjoy the journey…you’ll never forget your journey along the Ridgeway”
Enough said.
The Camino de Santiago beckons. 500 miles at 40C is right up your street but don’t forget to carry a laptop and charger and other such essentials.
Thank for the blog. We will make extensive reference to it when your mother and I tackle it next year (without back packs and over a much longer period of time).