Uffington White Horse and Wayland's Smithy

This figure, cut into the chalk hillside, is the oldest chalk figure in the country.  It is a short walk from the White Horse car park (see map), but it can be combined with a 3 mile walk to include Wayland's Smithy.  The hill side has a steep drop so keep an eye on little ones. 

If you are not familiar with this area of West Berkshire then you'e in for a treat. The drive takes you through some beautiful countryside and views were among the best I've seen in the South East.

With walks such as this, we will usually time it to arrive about lunch time and start the trip with a picnic.  This National Trust car park has a picnic area with fantastic views and a great way to get set to go.  

The walk we took includes part of the Ridgeway National Trail and can be found on the Walking Britain Website.

The first leg of the walk took us along Ridgeway. The sun decided to join us today and made for the kind of weather you'd hope for at this time of year.

The wind rippled through long grass (wheat, barley?) in all the surrounding fields which created the illusion of long soft fur. Even the hills were rippling like green sea.

Making a start along Ridgeway

"How much further?!" 

The path to Wayland Smithy was a short straight stroll along the chalk path.

After several junctions and changes in weather we reached our first goal...

Wayland Smithy - iron age long barrow

The boys had a great time investigating the burial chambers

DS2 even found this replica leather pouch

Stones along the length of the barrow

Three of us at the entrance to Wayland Smithy

Following the return journey along the Ridgeway we climbed the hill path, which was, of course, very chalky. Luckily it we weren't visiting in heavy rain, or I think the fun with splashing in chalk puddles would have been too hard to resist.

We were all quite excited when DS3 Spotted a lizard on a style (we're easily pleased!), but it was too quick for me and I'm afraid I didn't get a picture.

The earthworks of the old hill fort - Uffington Castle.

Walking down from the castle it isn't immediately obvious where the horse is, but it was signposted and in the end was hard to miss.

The horse is quite an abstract figure and upclose it's very hard to make out. In the background you can just make out Dragon Hill - small flat-topped hill.

From the top of the steep hill, looking back towards the chalk horse.

The clouds finally started to break on our way back down the hill.

Even close to the "viewing point" it is hard to make out the horse on the top (left) of the hill. Apparently, the best place to see it is from the air!

Hidden costs: National Trust pay and display car park. Ice cream van in the car park may be just too tempting!