The oldest road remains a popular National Trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders exploring 5,000 years of history
The road is still popular(Image: krzych-34 via Getty Images)
Britain’s oldest road boasts an incredible 5,000-year history and continues to attract travellers to this day. The Ridgeway is widely acknowledged as the nation’s most ancient route, and even ranks amongst the world’s oldest roads.
Stretching 87 miles from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, this historic elevated pathway has served countless generations, from prehistoric times through Roman, Saxon and medieval periods. Whilst much of The Ridgeway is now off-road, it remains a beloved public trail.
Travellers along the route can discover Neolithic long barrows, Bronze Age round barrows, Iron Age hillforts and admire striking white chalk figures carved into the hillsides.
These days, visitors can tackle the route on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. For those wanting to complete the entire distance, it’s achievable in under a week.
As one of Britain’s shorter National Trails, The Ridgeway frequently serves as an ideal starting point for newcomers to long-distance walking. At a pace of 15 miles daily, walkers can finish it in six days, reports the Express.
Numerous campsites dot the route, alongside B&Bs and lodges for overnight stays.
The trail begins in Avebury and heads in a north-easterly direction.
According to National Trail: “West of the River Thames, The Ridgeway is a broad track passing through the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is often quite a distance from villages or towns.”
They added: “East of the Thames, The Ridgeway travels through the more wooded and intimate hills and valleys of the Chilterns AONB where, as well as further archaeological treasures, there are several nature reserves rich in the wildlife found in chalk grassland habitats.
“In the Chilterns, The Ridgeway goes close to or through several villages and small towns where refreshments and other facilities are easily available.”
Walkers can experience the Ridgeway throughout the year, though spring to autumn offers the finest views, weather and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Those tackling the trail in May are frequently treated to a spectacular bluebell carpet across the Chiltern woodlands.