A major network of trackways, in use since Neolithic times runs from the Norfolk Coast near Kings Lynn, all the way across country to Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast, a total of some 363 miles.
Much of this trackway, known today as the Greater Ridgeway is still in evidence, and is incorporated into a series of modern long distance trails known by several names for its different sections:
- The Peddars Way – runs from Holme-next-the-Sea down to Knettishall Heath near Thetford in Norfolk.
- The Icknield Way – runs from Knettishall Heath, SE of Thetford across country to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.
- The Ridgeway – runs from Ivinghoe Beacon to West Overton, west of Marlborough in Wiltshire.
- The Wessex Ridgeway – runs from West Overton, via Stonehenge, to Lyme Regis in Dorset.
It’s no coincidence that this set of trackways follows a geological band of chalk which runs diagonally across Southern England. Some of these trails overlap, as explained by the Friends of the Ridgeway website:
The Ridgeway, like other pre-historic routes, was never a single, designated road, but rather a complex of braided tracks, with subsidiary ways diverging and coming together. Successive ages made use of the route for their own purposes, and left the marks of their passage. Pre-historic barrows and burial mounds line the route and excavations have found implements and ornaments from many sources.
As the land lower down the slopes was cleared, a lower route became feasible in summer, closer to the spring line where water was accessible to travellers and their mounts. While The Ridgeway followed the top of the downs the Lower, or Icknield Way, runs parallel to it just above the foot of the slope, as far south as Wanborough near Swindon. To the north of the Chilterns, where the chalk is flatter, the routes come together. The Icknield Way was used and upgraded by the Romans for much of its length for both trade and military purposes.
In a series of forthcoming articles, we’ll be looking at each of these modern sections, noting some of the archaeological sites that sit on or near the trackways as we go.
(And no, I haven’t walked the whole route. Yet…)
The Heritage Journal 
7 comments
Comments feed for this article
23/09/2015 at 11:19
Edwin Deady
Worth noting that if such tracks as the Wiltshire Berkshire Ridgeway are so ancient that officialdom is trying to close down their free use. I have no quarrel with attempts at vehicle control. The loss of the fine turf we used to walk on as late as the sixties is catastrophic although heavier farm vehicles as well as off-roaders must take their share of the blame for the damage.
What is most objectional are claims that wild camping along its length is illegal and to be discouraged. Having done this extensively in. again, the sixties with no hassle I find it sad that newer walkers are being discouraged from the experience of sleeping on the Downs as their ancestors had done for more than three thousand years.
23/09/2015 at 11:21
Edwin Deady
Police claims that the Ridgeway is like a river and is owned to its centre by each neighbouring landowner is nonsense and I have checked that the nation Trust certainly do not accept this for their bit.
23/09/2015 at 11:29
Alan S.
Valid comments Edwin, but I think you’ll have to accept that the current waymarked route is not necessarily exactly the same route as that used in the Neolithic. Indeed, the ‘route’ itself probably changed dependent upon many factors – seasonal changes being the main one. ‘Access’ I think is a discussion for another day.
23/09/2015 at 15:44
Edwin Deady
Aware of the differences and the “new” route including Smeathe’s Ridge is an improvement to trudging over Chiseldon Plain. Have you noticed that some hillforts seem spaced about a cattle drive’s daily journey apart?
23/09/2015 at 16:19
Quaifier
I think ‘access’ should be discussed. Imagine not being allowed access to other pre historic sites – unimaginable. A prehistoric road or right of way should be accessed by all, especially when you consider the term ‘right of way’ .
23/09/2015 at 19:10
Rosie
Have come from Australia to walk parts of the Wessex Ridgeway an experience I found deeply moving. The best times were walking in intermittently foul weather, as you were alone, no others on track. Looking forward to reading about the sites…will walk again in 2016.
Rosie
23/09/2015 at 20:02
Alan S.
As access has been granted/waymarked for the national trails, in the context of the current article there is nothing to discuss. However, I accept that there are wider issues of access to ‘authentic’ routes and issues of land ‘ownership’ – a whole other topic. If anyone wishes to contribute an article or two on those subjects, I’m sure we’d give them due consideration for publication.
A different question of access arises with regard to the disabled. As someone who’s partner is wheelchair-bound, this is a subject close to my heart. But being realistic full access for the disabled on our national trails and prehistoric sites is a long way away, and in many cases totally impractical!