White Horse Hill to Ashdown walk
Enjoy a long and invigorating walk across the ancient chalk downs of Oxfordshire, absorbing the neolithic sites and history found along this enigmatic stretch of the ancient Ridgeway.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
White Horse Hill car park, grid ref: SU293866
Step 1
Leave the main car park by the gate nearest to the disabled bays and make your way across the field towards the White Horse. Head for the furthest gate on the left and, after crossing the road, follow the path up to the White Horse, which is signposted.
Step 2
Leave the horse by heading up the hill, passing Uffington Castle on your right, until you reach the Ridgeway. Turn right onto the Ridgeway and continue until you reach Waylands Smithy on your right.
Step 3
Continue on from Waylands Smithy for 0.2 miles (250m) then, at the crossroads, take the path to the left, passing a barn. Carry on until you reach the tree line. Turn right and follow the path until the road. Cross the road and carry on until you reach the grassy avenue running through Ashdown Estate.
Step 4
Leave the footpath and walk along the large avenue towards Ashdown House. Feel free to detour and explore the woodland paths leading off the main avenue. When you near the House, head back onto the main avenue and follow the sign to the car park.
Step 5
Continue onwards, crossing the road and through the kissing gate. Climb up the hill keeping the fence line on your left until you reach a kissing gate in the corner. Go through the gate and continue on the footpath.
Step 6
Continue on the footpath going downhill to reach the byway at Compton Bottom.
Step 7
Turn left here and follow the path until the Ridgeway.
Step 8
Turn right and retrace your steps back to the car park. You can turn left at the first road junction to get back to the car park.
End point
White Horse Hill car park, grid ref: SU293866
Trail map
More near here
Green walk: Cuckoo Pen
Try this walk for a flat walk along lanes, footpaths through fields and parkland and farm tracks. Delve into the family history of the village's former first family, the Pleydell-Bouverie's, and catch a glimpse of its secret Second World War past.
Orange walk: Badbury and Great Coxwell Barn
Take a gentle circular walk along the orange route on the Coleshill Estate from Badbury to Great Coxwell Barn to spot wildlife and wander through two picturesque working farms.
Red walk: Coleshill
Coleshill's red walk is a great way to get some gentle exercise, starting at the estate yard, formerly a Victorian model farm, then onto a 'Capability' Brown-style 18th century parkland.
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