Wessex Ridgeway (Marlborough to Lyme Regis)

The Wessex Ridgeway is a superb walk of 137 miles (220kms) which continues the line of the Icknield Way and the Ridgeway National Trail to complete the Great Ridgeway, a pre-historic trade route which linked the Norfolk coast to the Devon coast.

Picture: Britain on View

The Wessex Ridgeway crosses the glorious downlands of Wiltshire and Dorset to link Avebury to the sea, following as near as possible the line of the ancient route.

We shall walk the route as two separate holidays; the first section based in Warminster, and the second based in Dorchester.

Wessex Ridgeway, North (Marlborough to Shroton)

6 days walking, based in Warminster

Our tour base

The route of the Wessex Ridgeway starts with a short link from the elegant market town of Marborough to the true start of the ancient Ridgeway, the prehistoric stone circle at Avebury.

From Avebury the route takes us through the Vale of Pewsey, skirts the western escarpment of Salisbury Plain, circles the Iron Age hillforts of Battlesbury and Scratchbury high above the lovely Wylye Valley, then crosses the Great Ridge and Win Green Hill to enter Cranborne Chase and Dorset. This stage of the route finishes at the unspoilt village of Shroton.

The Wessex Ridgeway visits the picturesque villages of Knook, Corton, Hindon, Tollard Royal and Ashmore along the way and passes a wealth of ancient monuments. The timing of this tour should catch the orchids which flourish on the chalk downland at their best.

Wessex Ridgeway, South (Shroton to Lyme Regis)

6 days walking, based in Dorchester

Our tour base

From Shroton the route of the Wessex Ridgeway climbs out of Cranborne Chase and makes its way through pastoral scenery to cross the River Stour, before gaining the high downland with extensive views over the Blackmore Vale.

The route then passes over three of Dorset’s finest hillforts; Lambert’s Hill, Coney Hill and Pilsden Pen. All three provide magnificent views northwards to the Somerset Levels and southwards to the sea. A walk through meadows and along a river side path lead into the attractive and historic harbour, and onto The Cobb, at Lyme Regis.

• Introduction
• The Cornish Coast Path
• Coleridge Way
• Wessex Ridgeway
• Weavers Way
• Pembrokeshire Coast Path
• Brontë Way
• The Pennine Way
• Coast to Coast Walk
• Dales Way
• Yorkshire Wolds Way
• Cumbria Way
• Furness Way
• Hadrians Wall Path
• Reivers' Way
• Rob Roy Way