The Vale and Ridgeway Project

Since 1994 Dr Gary Lock and his colleagues from the Department of Archaeology and the Centre for Continuing Education of Oxford University have run research and training excavations at the Ridgeway Hillforts (1994 - 2000) and a complementary site at Marcham in the Vale of White Horse (2001 - current).

For details of these projects, click on the links below:

The Vale and Ridgeway Project

The Hillforts of the Ridgeway Project

Click here to see an album of photographs of the Marcham site.

The Friends of the Ridgeway has organised an annual visit for its members and the general public when Dr Lock & al have acted as guides. Whilst we do not pretend they are academically authoritative, our accounts of these visits do provide an intelligent layman's introduction to the work. Click on one of the links at the end of this page to see these accounts.

Some of those currently involved with the excavations (including Gary Lock and Chris Gosden)  have established The Vale and Ridgeway Trust, a new venture to fund and promote research into land use, settlement patterns and ritual practices within the Ridgeway and Vale area.  It will provide training and educational facilities for local people and support a range of activities including fieldwork and documentary research.  It is hoping to raise £50,000.  If you wish to get involved or make a donation, contact The Vale and Ridgeway Trust, c/o Manor Farm, Marcham, OX13 6NZ

Site visit reports

Alfred's Castle (2000)

Marcham (2001)

Marcham (2002)

Marcham (2003)

Marcham (2004)

Marcham (2005)

Marcham (2006)