Wantage Walks - Near and Around
The Oxfordshire town of Wantage is in a great location for exploring a lovely section of the Ridgeway. There's fine views over the Berkshire Downs from the high points on the trail.
This walk takes you from the town onto the Ridgeway, visiting the Wantage Monument and Cuckhamsley Hill to the south east of the town.
Starting in the town you head east along a footpath to Lockinge. Near here you could take a detour to visit the pretty neighbouring village of Ardington. The village includes a 13th century church and the Georgian Ardington House.
At Lockinge you turn south to climb onto the Ridgeway at Middlehill Down. Near here you will pass the memorial cross and monument to Robert Loyd Lindsey, Lord Wantage. Lord Wantage was a distinguished soldier and one of the first to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the Crimean War. The copses of trees in the vale below were planted by Lord Wantage and are believed to represent the battle lines at Alma. There's fine views over the Vale from here.
To extend the walk you can head west along the trail and visit the nearby Segsbury Camp. The periodic occupation of the hill fort between the 6th and 2nd centuries BC suggests that it was a communal centre for various activities, including sheep management and exchange. The circular Letcombe Regis Walk visits the camp from the neighbouring village.
Continuing west will take you to another of the highlights of the area at the Uffington White Horse. The area is historically significant with the 3000 year old prehistoric hill figure and an Iron Age hillfort located close together. The castle sits at a height of 860 feet (262m) above sea level making it the highest point in Oxfordshire.
Near here you can also visit the fascinating Wayland's Smithy. The Neolithic long barrow dates from 3460–3400 BC and includes a burial chamber consisting of a narrow and partially constricted passage, leading to a pair of small side chambers. The site is located close to the Ashdown House Estate. The National Trust owned estate has nice woodland walks and attractive grounds.
Postcode
OX12 9AB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsWantage Ordnance Survey Map 
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Wantage Open Street Map 
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Wantage OS Map 
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Wantage Open Street Map 
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Walks near Wantage
- Uffington White Horse - This short circular walk visits White Horse Hill and the Iron Age hillfort of Uffington Castle near Swindon. The area is historically significant with the 3000 year old prehistoric white horse hill figure and the hillfort located close together. The castle sits at a height of 860 feet (262m) above sea level making it the highest point in Oxfordshire. Also of interest is Dragon Hill, said to be the site where St. George slew the dragon. It's a very attractive area with chalk downland and lovely views over the Berkshire Downs.
- The Ridgeway - This is the cycle friendly opening 43 miles of The Ridgeway - one of the UK's National Trails.
This section runs from Overton Hill, near Avebury in Wiltshire, to Streatley, in Berkshire, on the River Thames - Wayland's Smithy - Visit this fascinating Neolithic long barrow and chamber tomb on this circular walk on the The Ridgeway
- Chilton - This Oxfordshire based village is in a good location for exploring the countryside of the Vale of White Horse on the nearby Ridgeway.
- The Ridgeway - Step back in time on this wonderful 85 mile route which follows an ancient chalk ridge route used by prehistoric man The trail starts at Overton Hill in Wiltshire on the edge of the Marlborough Downs and heads east through the Chiltern Hills to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire
- Didcot - The Oxfordshire town of Didcot has some nice trails to follow into the surrounding Chilterns countryside.
This walk visits some of the highlights of the area using a mixture of country lanes, public footpaths and waymarked long distance trails - Wittenham Clumps - Climb to these two hills near Dorchester for wonderful views over the Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside.
- Dorchester Circular Walk - The delightful Oxfordshire town of Dorchester on Thames has some lovely footpaths to follow through the surrounding countryside and woodland
- Blewbury - This walk from the Oxfordshire village of Blewbury visits the Iron Age Hillfort at Blewburton Hill
- Abingdon Circular Walk - This circular walk explores the area to the south of this pretty Oxfordshire town
- Faringdon Circular Walk - This circular walk around the Oxfordshire town of Faringdon, visits Faringdon Folly and the village of Littlelworth
- Badbury Clump - This walk explores Badbury Hill and the lovely wooded area of Badbury Clump near Faringdon
- Ardington - This pretty village is located in the Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire, just to the east of Wantage
- Letcombe Regis - This Oxfordshire based village includes a pleasant local nature reserve and a noteworthy Iron Age hill fort on the Ridgeway National Trail.
- East Hendred - This rural village in Oxfordshire is located in the North Wessex Downs AONB and the historic Vale of White Horse near the settlements of Ardington and Wantage
Pubs/Cafes
The historic Lamb Inn dates all the way back to the 17th century. The thatched inn serves good quality food and has a nice garden area for sunny days. You can find them on Mill Street with a postcode of OX12 9AB for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country trails make for a fine dog walk and the Lamb Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just to the east you'll find the interesting village of Chilton. Near here you can pick up the epic Ridgeway National Trail, one of the walking highlights of the area.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Oxfordshire Walks page.
Photos
On the downs above Lockinge
Lord Wantage Memorial. The Lindsay Monument on Betterton Down south of Lockinge, Oxfordshire (formerly Berkshire). Robert Loyd-Lindsay, 1st Baron Wantage founded the English Red Cross and was the first man to win a Victoria Cross in the Crimean War.
Farmland on East Ginge Down
Trees on the downs above Lockinge. Beside the bridleway that descends to Coldharbour Park.
The market square, Wantage. In the 19th century, Lord Wantage became a notable local and national benefactor. In 1877 he paid for a marble statue of King Alfred by Count Gleichen to be erected in Wantage market place, where it still stands today.
Priory Road. A quiet road near the town centre approaches the parish church of St Peter and St Paul.
The Ridgeway at Cuckhamsley Hill
The Ridgeway above East Ginge