{"id":26603,"date":"2023-05-09T13:36:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T11:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?p=26603&preview=true&preview_id=26603"},"modified":"2023-05-10T11:16:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T09:16:15","slug":"4-oxfordshire-uffington-white-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/05\/09\/4-oxfordshire-uffington-white-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"04. Oxfordshire, Uffington White Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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SOUTH EAST<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

04. OXFORDSHIRE, UFFINGTON WHITE HORSE<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Distance: 1.4 miles\/3km | Time: 1 hour | Grade: Easy | Total ascent: 61m
For more walks and days out visit countryfile.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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The prehistoric Uffington White Horse measures 111 metres from the tip of its tail to its ear Photo: Alamy <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Walked by Ben Lerwill <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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This short but history-packed walk curves across the blustery flanks of the rolling Berkshire Downs, leading to the 3,000-year-old Uffington White Horse. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The route is familyfriendly and the views are huge throughout, with the Cotswolds outspread in the distance. What\u2019s more, there\u2019s an Iron Age hillfort to explore, too. <\/p>\n\n

1. START <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Head through the gate at the bottom of the car park then follow the line of the fence that snakes across the open hillside. The Vale of White Horse is already in full view to your left, backdropped by a vast swathe of rural Oxfordshire, while skylarks flute and flutter overhead. <\/p>\n\n

2. 0.2 MILES <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

When you reach a memorial bench \u2013 engraved with the aphorism \u201cWhat is life but one grand adventure?\u201d \u2013 follow the wide grassy path as it bends uphill to the right, then shortly afterwards veers left towards a gate. The prehistoric outline of the White Horse is already partly visible up ahead. <\/p>\n\n

3. 0.4 MILES <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Cross the minor road and continue upslope along the trail, soon arriving directly above the thin chalky trenches that make up the White Horse. <\/p>\n\n

4. 0.6 MILES <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

This extraordinary landmark is Britain\u2019s oldest white horse figure, essentially forming a giant piece of abstract Bronze Age art. Up close, not only do you get a sense of the thought and precision that went into its creation, but <\/span>you find yourself pondering the questions that archaeologists have long grappled with. Who designed it, and how? Was it a spiritual totem? A warning to outside tribes?<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Whatever the truth, it now looks out across a mighty panorama of farms, fields, wind turbines and woodlands. <\/p>\n\n

If you\u2019re feeling adventurous, you can take a downslope detour to reach the flat-topped hillock of Dragon Hill. <\/p>\n\n

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5. 0.8 MILES <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

From the White Horse, head uphill, following the grassy track to the crest of the slope, where a trig point stands sentry over the colossal \u2013 at about 32,000 square metres \u2013 Iron Age hillfort of Uffington Castle. You\u2019re now also very close to a section of the Ridgeway National Trail.<\/p>\n\n

6. 1 MILE <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

After making a clockwise half-loop of the fort\u2019s grassy banks, leave the fort at the gap in its western wall and head back downhill towards a gate. Follow the path diagonally for 90 metres across a separate meadow. <\/p>\n\n

7. 1.2 MILES <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Recross the road, then return across the field you started in, passing a useful toposcope on your way to the top of the car park. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

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USEFUL INFO <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Starting point <\/strong>
The National Trust\u2019s White Horse Hill Car Park. Members free; nonmembers \u00a32 for two hours or \u00a34 all day, coins or Paybyphone app only. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terrain <\/strong>
Mainly smooth but can get muddy in places. It\u2019s grazing land, so expect sheep poo. No stiles, but it would be hard going with a wheelchair or buggy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Map <\/strong>
OS Explorer 170 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat\/drink\/stay <\/strong>
The White Horse is an atmospheric old pub with rooms. whitehorse woolstone.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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In association with<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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