Alan Simpson and Kim Werner have completed the Wessex Ridgeway through Wiltshire and Dorset. The route is one of several long distance paths that comprise the Great Chalk Way, an ancient highway connecting East Anglia and the South West. We began with an 8 mile warm up ramble from the lovely Wiltshire village of Bedwyn through the ancient Savernake Forest. The official route starts in Marlborough and passes through the ancient stone circles of Avebury before climbing to the escarpment around Salisbury Plain. A large number of ancient hill forts and burial mounds are visited en route including Battlesbury, Hambledon Hill and Pilsdon Pen as the way meanders through the North Wessex Downs, Vale of Pewsey, Cranborne Chase and ends at the Dorset Jurassic Coast. The Cerne Abbas Giant stands proudly on the ridge along with the White Horses at Marlborough, Cherhill, Devizes and Westbury. We completed the 143 miles (equivalent of 11 Great North Runs! 😂) over 9 days of walking with stops at various inns on and off the Ridgeway. The route frequently shifts from sweeping chalk downlands and open skies to drop into deep valleys passing through picturesque villages with thatched cottages and historic churches. The way is connected by winding woodland trails and mysterious sunken lanes known locally as the holloways. Our paths were fringed by black knapweed, rosehip, hart’s tongue fern and a seemingly endless wealth of wild bramble and nettles! The peaceful walk was only disturbed by the cry of buzzards and red kites or the occasional booms from the military ranges. The walk finishes in Lyme Regis with the chance to dip your toes in the sea to celebrate a great adventure before a well earned slap up dinner
