Walking.holiday UK

Walking.holiday UK Self-guided walking holidays: St James' Way, The Thames Path, The Ridgeway, South Chilterns

28/05/2026

They think it’s all over…and it is now 👍🏼🍾🥂🎊

Having descended from the heady heights of the Bridgewater Monument and the Ashridge Estate on your final day on The Ridgeway, you arrive in the charming village of Aldbury complete with the pub, pond and a set of stocks.

It’s a picturesque spot which explains why it appears in many movies. The duck pond is just that: a pond for ducks complete with a floating house.

The stocks look out over the pond which must have been some comfort to the poor prisoners stuck there.

The Greyhound is a lovely place to stay for the night. A pub with a handful of rooms and a fine restaurant. A fitting end to a wonderful walk.



They think it’s all over…When you reach Ivinghoe Beacon you might think it’s all over. But you actually have a further 3...
27/05/2026

They think it’s all over…

When you reach Ivinghoe Beacon you might think it’s all over. But you actually have a further 3.5 miles to walk to the nearest inn, the Greyhound at Aldbury.

The good news is that you don’t have to retrace many of your steps. There is an alternative route via the Bridgewater Monument which sits above Aldbury.

The monument is dedicated to the 3rd Earl of Bridgewater, the Father of Canals, who pioneered inland navigation and gave his name to the Bridgewater Canal which runs between Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh.

The Ashridge Estate, on which the monument stands, was the home of the Bridgewater family and is now owned by the National Trust. There are 5,000 acres of woodland filled with birch, chestnut, beech and oak.

It’s a short walk from the monument down to Aldbury - which we will explore on Friday. Stay tuned.


21/05/2026

The oldest square mile

At the White Horse of Uffington along The Ridgeway is a square mile of land absolutely packed with interest.

The White Horse itself is a chalk figure and, at 3,000 years old, is reckoned to be the oldest chalk figure in the UK

Dragon Hill is where George slew the dragon. It’s true! You can even see the bald patch where the blood poisoned the grass and it no longer grows.

The Manger is a beautiful dry valley wjere the White Horse grazes at night when nobody is watching.

Uffington Castle is one of four Neolithic hillforts on this half of The Ridgeway.

And, to cap it all, White Horse Hill is the highest point in Oxfordshire.

Don’t rush this part. Take your time.


Still at Kintbury....are you ready for the next surprise? 😮Meet Monty 🐎 We met him last year. The brochure we picked up...
14/05/2026

Still at Kintbury....are you ready for the next surprise? 😮

Meet Monty 🐎

We met him last year. The brochure we picked up says there is another horse called Drummer. 😊 Both are cross-Shire horses. But, wait! They have a new to trainee, a shire horse called Arthur, who has yet to be seen.

These horses are the natural power engines of "Kennet Valley", a horse drawn barge solely powered by the horse, just like before boat engines were invented. She is one of the few remaining horse drawn barges in the UK. You can find her just across The Dundas Arms Pub with rooms.

The Kennet Horse Boat Company offers a unique experience to step back in time on board "Kennet Valley".

You can find more details on how to charter "Kennet Valley" via their website, kennet-horse-boat.co.uk

A slow pace walk or cruise on the Kennet Canal in Kintbury. A great escape from a rather hectic life. Make it more worthwhile by walking the Kennet and Avon Canal.

At your own pace. In your own time.





12/05/2026

Just what you need

after a really hectic day.

You can find this piece of a gem in Kintbury on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

We had dinner at The Dundas Arms and used our Butcombe Loyalty rewards. The food was amazing. A must stop for a tea break, coffee or drink on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

They also offer rooms. We've transferred bags for those walking on this stretch of the canal from Thatcham.

Also, on this stretch is another surprise but we'll save that for later. Keep an eye out on our next post.

Now mind how you go.





.holidayuk

British Pilgrimage Trust had just announced that St. James' Way is the most popular pilgrimage in England in 2025. 🎉The...
12/01/2026

British Pilgrimage Trust had just announced that St. James' Way is the most popular pilgrimage in England in 2025. 🎉

The 68.5 mile/ 110 kilometer route starts from Reading and ends in Southampton. Only a month ago, a moutiera was unveiled outside Reading Abbey ruins to mark the official start of the Camino de Santiago in Britain.

If you are still sitting on the fence about doing a pilgrimage this new year, walk the camino.

https://walking.holiday/camino-ingles/

https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/news/britains-most-popular-pilgrimage-routes-in-2025





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