Ancient landscape of the Lambourn Downs
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Come and join us on a pleasant walk over the field-side footpaths and lanes of the Lambourn Downs.
The Ridge Way is a 5000 year old trading route between Wiltshire and Hertfordshire, sitting on a ridge of chalk downland. Like today, civilization grew around the main route, leading to many of England's ancient landscape features within easy reach. Along its route, are the stone circle at Avebury, several long-barrows such as Wayland's Smithy and many iron age hill forts. In more recent times, the Ridge Way became a drovers route and is now a National Trail.
Our walk will take us to the south of the Ridge Way, crossing over the downs of Upper Lambourn and with views over much of West Berkshire. The chalk lanes and gallops return us to the Ridge Way at Uffington Castle - the mounds of a large, early iron age fort - and a view of the famous White Horse, albeit from above. We follow the ridge back to the cars.
Photo Credits: All photos taken by OutdoorLads Members and permission is granted to OutdoorLads for further use.
Dogs are welcome on my walks, though we may pass through fields with livestock: please make sure your bundle of joy is under control and what to do out in the countryside (there's loads of information on the web about it). Also, there may be more than one dog on the walk! Send me a message and ask if you're uncertain.
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What to bring
The walk is mainly on chalk lanes and paths across open fields. If it is wet, the chalk becomes slippery and the field mud sticky, so good footwear with plenty of grip is recommended.
There is limited shelter on the route, either from the wind/rain or beating sunshine: please dress appropriately to the forecast, bringing waterproofs and a sun hat.
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Please bring sufficient food and drink for the walk. There's a pub stop (if it's still there) in the last mile of the walk, but nowhere else on route to buy food or drink. We will have regular breaks and a picnic lunch.