Camping the Ridgeway?

kate

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Feb 14, 2002, 8:55:38 AM2/14/02

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Thinking about walking the Ridgeway over easter, ideally camping and
eating in pubs. However, looking at the information on the national
trails website there seems to be a bit of a shortage of campsites,
especially towards the eastern end of the route. Has anyone done
this? Any recommendations? Planning on averaging 15 miles a day or a
little more, so walking it over 5 days.

Thanks,

Kate

Smarty Pants

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Feb 14, 2002, 10:24:59 AM2/14/02

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Campsites are very thin on the ground with this walk so be prepared to pay
for BBB.

"kate" <kat...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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David Laight

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Feb 14, 2002, 2:08:20 PM2/14/02

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kate wrote:

The backpackers club 'long distance Paths sites list' (available to
members) lists quite a few possible campsites. Including the PHs at
Nuffield (Crown), Cadsden (Plough), and farms at Wantage, Watlington
and Dunstable + a lot of places where you can pitch 'wild'.

see http://www.catan.demon.co.uk/backpack/

David

Old Spot

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Feb 15, 2002, 4:34:27 AM2/15/02

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I walked the Ridgeway about 6 years ago, and B&Bd all the way. However, I do
remember making a mental note as to whether or not it would be feasible to
camp along the way. I would say that you would be able to discreetly wild
camp if you picked your spots, and made sure that you cleaned up after
yourself. Probably not next to any pubs though, and you may want to B&B at
least for one night to freshen up. I can't comment on the whereabouts of
campsites, but my guess is that they may take you off track a little bit.

kate <kat...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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matt

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Feb 15, 2002, 11:56:59 AM2/15/02

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There's a youth hostel, which ISTR is above Wantage (and is definitely 2 hours
fast walking from Uffington Castle). Its large, and has lots of space if the
beds are all taken.

Its right on the Ridgeway, anyway.

Matt

Paul Richardson

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Feb 22, 2002, 2:53:00 AM2/22/02

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Old Spot wrote:

> I would say that you would be able to discreetly wild
> camp if you picked your spots

Yes, perfectly possible.

--

Paul Richardson
Drop THEM if you want to email me

virtual...@nospambtopenworld.com

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Feb 22, 2002, 7:10:41 PM2/22/02

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Kate

Two camping spots on the western end:

In a small orchard next to the cafe east of the car park at Barbury
Castle - large mugs of tea and cooked breakfast -ah!
GR157 760
Pg 31 of the OS National Trial Guide.

By the wooded ridge in the grounds of the Ridgeway YH near Letcombe
Castle - loads of facilities at the YH.
GR394 849
Pg 63 of the OS National Trial Guide.

Judicious low impact wild camping is practicable along most of the RW

On 14 Feb 2002 05:55:38 -0800, kat...@hotmail.com (kate) wrote:
>Thinking about walking the Ridgeway over easter, ideally camping and

>eating in pubs. Has anyone done this? Any recommendations?

>Planning on averaging 15 miles a day or a
>little more, so walking it over 5 days.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Kate

bignoseduglyguy :O)
virtual...@btopenworld.com

Daniel

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Feb 23, 2002, 4:38:59 AM2/23/02

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Hmm,
I have a friend who is wildly and outrageously camp...

Anyway, I particularly like walking parts of the Ridgeway during
winter and at night time and have almost always encountered a couple
of folks camping, indeed having a cup of tea with some of the more
permanent ones.

Regards,
Daniel

Glenville McLean

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Feb 23, 2002, 6:21:47 PM2/23/02

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Yes, I did just that - Pubs, B&B, and some camping. When camping I
just asked a farmer if I could pitch my pup tent in the corner of a
field, behind barn, wall, whatever. I was never turned down.

(Pick up your litter, DON'T have a cigarette in the barn),

Glenville McLean
Ottawa
(With a view of the Gatineau Hills if I run down to the end of the street)