Walking the Ridgeway, by Anthony Burton

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Overton Hill to Ogbourne St. George (9½ miles, 15km)

This is rather a short section, but it allows time for a diversion to Avebury. The walk starts at a lay-by on the busy A4, west of Marlborough, a nondescript spot to the modern motorist, but significant in terms of prehistory. On the southern side of the road are the scant remains of a stone circle, known as The Sanctuary and around it are prominent mounds, that are Bronze Age round barrows, ancient burial mounds. The obvious track leads north, and almost at once the views begin to open out over the downland. There is a steady climb, and in the grassland to the right, grey shapes can be seen, that might just about be mistaken for sheep, hence their name, “grey wethers” – an old name for sheep. These are the sarsen stones, similar to those which were dragged down the hillside to create the stone circles of Avebury. Near the top of the hill, there is a crossing of tracks as the Ridgeway meets another old route, a herepath (an unsurfaced, Saxon military road – ED), dating from Saxon times. It leads down to Avebury, and for anyone who has not visited that amazing site, it is well worth a diversion. Meanwhile the main route continues up to the top of the ridge, with the views getting better and better, until a grand panorama is visible over to the west, and the walker may well find a musical accompaniment, as a skylark sings above the downs.

The top of the climb is marked by a trig point, just beyond which is a road with a car park above a white horse cut into the hillside – not the famous white horse that gave its name to the Vale, which we’ll meet later. The track continues its high level route, and as it swings east, the view starts to include the tower blocks of distant Swindon, but there is another exciting prehistoric site just ahead, Barbury Castle. This is no fortress of stone, but an Iron Age hill fort, protected by massive earth ramparts and deep ditches. The walk goes straight through the middle to emerge onto a pleasant grassy track that leads to a car park and picnic area. Beyond that the ridge continues, and now this is downland walking at its very best: springy turf underfoot, a high ridge that forms a sinuous line above the valleys of Ogbourne Down and marvellous views. It is almost a disappointment when it ends, and the track begins to head downhill towards the village and the valley of the little River Og.

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Photograph: Avebury. © Bonza TV Ltd.