Deserted village of Snap
Just northeast of Ogbourne St George to the east of The Ridgeway lies the deserted village of Snap abandoned early last century as a result of agricultural depression. With records dating from 1268, by 1841 Snap was a thriving if small farming community of 47 people. However cheap corn from America in the 1870s caused the rapid decline in the population and the village's final demise. Today just low piles of sarsen rubble marking the site of cottages remain visible during winter months.
Iron Age Forts
Two Iron Age forts grace this part of The Ridgeway; Liddington Castle beloved by the Victorian author Richard Jefferies and reached by a permissive footpath from the Trail kindly provided by the farmer, and Uffington Castle with the dramatic dry coombe, The Manger, to the north. On White Horse Hill just a short distance from Uffington Castle lies the most famous hill figure in the country, the beautiful, sinuous Uffington White Horse. Below this lies Dragon Hill, a natural mound, where reputedly St George killed his dragon. The bare chalk patch on the top is said to be where the blood of the dragon was spilt and no grass will now grow.
And More!
This section also passes the fine Wayland's Smithy long barrow dating from the Stone Age just 50m north of The Ridgeway. And not far from here, to the south, is the delightful 17th century Ashdown House set in a tremendous remote dry valley location.