The Ridgeway National Trail 50th anniversary

Join Chewbacca, Churchill, Mary-Ann Ochota, King Alfred and Merlin in celebrations on the Trail

2023 is the year to discover The Ridgeway's famous people and places and influence its future

Mary-Ann Ochota at Pitstone Hill on The Ridgeway — Mary-Ann Ochota invites everyone to discover something special along The Ridgeway in 2023.

Since The Ridgeway was officially opened as a National Trail by Lord Nugent in 1973, the Trail has had hundreds of thousands visitors and many stories to tell.

Everyone is invited to enjoy events along the Trail throughout 2023 and discover new free materials which celebrate history, myths and memories and also imagine the next 50 years. Highlights will be picked out by our anniversary patron Mary-Ann Ochota who is a broadcaster, outdoor adventurer and mum-of-two. Mary-Ann has presented on TV and radio including Channel 4’s Time Team with Tony Robinson and featured on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Ramblings‘ with Clare Balding, and has written two best-selling books on Britain’s landscape and secret archaeology. Throughout the year, Mary-Ann will be celebrating and sharing Ridgeway stories.

Everyone has the opportunity to discover something new and special about the Trail’s people and places with the ‘Ridgeway Top 50’ on the Ridgeway’s social media and website. The Top 50 reveals the oldest monument, the rarest flower, the famous writers, the mysterious druids and more. Everyone is invited to share ideas about the Top 50 and what they would like to see along The Ridgeway in 50 years time, bearing in mind topics such as the ‘climate crisis’, wellbeing, development and inclusion. This will create a vision for the Ridgeway’s future – the Ridgeway Future 50 vision – and everyone is invited to help realise this vision by being a caring visitor, volunteering and donating resources.

As the Chair of the Ridgeway Partnership, Simon Kearey says, “The Ridgeway has been an important routeway in our nation’s history and imagination for centuries. Key events took place along the route, including King Alfred’s battles with Viking armies in the 10^th century and Churchill’s famous radio speeches from Chequers during World War II. Its atmospheric ancient monuments are rich with stories and legends, including the forging of the sword Excalibur for magician Merlin, Tolkien’s fantasy world ‘Lord of the Rings’ and also the most recent Star Wars film! It is special to have such a rich heritage open to everyone to enjoy, free of charge. We want the anniversary year to be a time when we welcome new visitors and share ideas on how we can keep The Ridgeway special for future generations.”

Further information

Anniversary events and materials
Get involved in shaping the next 50 years
Anniversary merchandise
How to find out more

Anniversary events and materials

Everyone is invited to celebrate The Ridgeway’s anniversary and a range of events and new free materials launching in 2023. The weekly Ridgeway Top 50 and monthly #RidgewaySpotter challenge will be free and easy ways for the public to discover what is special about the Trail.

What new free materials are available?

To mark the 50th anniversary, we have published a new visitor information leaflet with a new illustrated map of the Trail. Printed copies are available from local tourist information offices and our online shop.

A new ‘Ridgeway timeline’ is included in the new leaflet which invites visitors to ‘time travel’ through the ages from 100 million years ago when chalk was created to 1973 when The Ridgeway was officially opened as a National Trail.

The new #RidgewaySpotter guide provides year-round inspiration for visits to The Ridgeway with monthly challenges for all ages.

What events are taking place, e.g. #RidgewaySpotter monthly challenge?

There will be special events around the Trail and on social media throughout the year from January to December, as well as the usual annual sporting and fundraising events. So that everyone can get involved, some events can be done in your own time and are self-led – this includes a free monthly challenge designed by Friends of the Ridgeway called #RidgewaySpotter.

Obtain a free download of the #RidgewaySpotter guide here.

The calendar of Ridgeway annual sporting and fundraising events will be available here from January.

The special anniversary events programme will be published here shortly. Key events to look forward to include:

Every Sunday at 7pm from 1st January to 31st December: Ridgeway Top 50 stories of fact and fiction will be posted with images on the Ridgeway’s website and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to inspire people to visit the Trail and contribute ideas to shape the Ridgeway’s next 50 years. For more details, see the question about the Top 50 below.

18th March: ‘The Ridgeway and Ancient Pathways’ day course with the Department of Continuing Education at Oxford University. Attend online or in-person.

22nd-23rd April: Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize exhibition in Uffington, Oxfordshire.

8th – 9th July: Race to the Stones ultra-marathon when runners can raise money for Friends of the Ridgeway through ‘charity entry’ places. Please contact Friends of the Ridgeway to register your interest and note that most people need to start training for this event well in advance.

Free ‘Bioblitz’ day on Saturday 15th July at Bury Down, near the A34, where people can turn up at any time to spot plants, insects, birds etc along the Trail and talk to experts about what they see.

Free guided runs for people wanting to feel more confident running on the Trail, including people who want to improve their fitness and have never tried trail running before. These runs are led by experienced runners keen to share tips. Please email ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk to register your interest. Runs available so far for booking are: Saturday 3rd June – Wendover, Saturday 17th June – Princes Risborough and Saturday 24th June – Tring.

May, June, October: Art journaling workshops with talented artist Jo Beal to discover how to record your walks along the Trail at Wayland Smithy and other atmospheric Ridgeway locations. Please email ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk to register your interest. These workshops are part of the three walking festivals held by the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in May, June and October. Workshops available so far include: Friday 9th June – Wayland Smithy and Saturday 10th June – Uffington White Horse.

September: Talk by Mary-Ann Ochota about the Ridgeway’s archaeology and people that she finds special. This talk is part of the Chiltern Heritage Festival held in September.

Are events free?

Many events are free, whilst some have a small charge. Details about any charges are provided in the events programme.

Free activities which can be done in your own time include the monthly challenge designed by Friends of the Ridgeway called #RidgewaySpotter.

Obtain your free download of the #RidgewaySpotter guide here.

Other free events:

22nd-23rd April – Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize exhibition in Uffington, Oxfordshire. A donation is requested but there is no entry fee.
Free ‘Bioblitz’ day in July at Bury Down, near the A34, where people can turn up at any time to spot plants, insects, birds etc along the Trail and talk to experts about what they see.
Free guided runs for people wanting to feel more confident running on the Trail, including people who want to improve their fitness and have never tried trail running before. These runs are led by experienced runners keen to share tips. Please email ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk to register your interest. Runs available so far for booking are: Saturday 3rd June – Wendover, Saturday 17th June – Princes Risborough and Saturday 24th June – Tring.

How do I book a place at an event?

Bookings are made through the event organiser, NOT through this website. Booking information is available in the listing for each event on our events webpage.

What is the Ridgeway Top 50 and where are the details?

The Ridgeway Top 50 comprises a list of 50 stories of fact and fiction revealing special Ridgeway places and people. Images and recommended places to visit are included to inspire people to experience the Top 50 first-hand.

Every Sunday at 7pm from 8th January to 31st December, a new entry will be revealed to gradually build a complete list of 50 on the Ridgeway’s website and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

These posts will encourage everyone to share what they think about each entry and to propose ideas for the next 50 years which will shape the Ridgeway Future 50 vision.

Social media posts will focus on the highlights of each entry, whilst full details of each item will be available on the Ridgeway website as the year unfolds. The complete Top 50 will be available from January 2024.

There is the intention to publish a book of the Top 50 in 2024, complete with notable contributions collected from the public through the year. This book will represent a collective memory and souvenir of the anniversary and sales in future will generate funds for future work on The Ridgeway. If you are interested in helping fund this publication, please email ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk. A minimum of £50 is requested. All donors will be listed in the publication.

Get involved in shaping the next 50 years

As well as celebrations, the anniversary will also be raising awareness of the exciting and also serious matter of how everyone can look after The Ridgeway and secure its future. With longterm concerns around the climate, economy and wellbeing, there are lots of things we could aspire to deliver along The Ridgeway. Everyone is invited to share ideas on what they would like to see along The Ridgeway in the next 50 years on social media (#Ridgeway50) or by email. Ideas for the Ridgeway Future 50 vision shared with us so far can be seen here.

To realise a vision for the future, we need to secure support and resources. As well as enhancing the Trail, there is also the ongoing maintenance challenge as National Trails are suffering wear and tear at all times. National Trails across the country are managed to a high standard so that the public can enjoy recreational routes that are amongst the best in the world and accessible. Trail volunteers are critical to the practical maintenance of The Ridgeway, such as installing signage. The 50th anniversary is a significant opportunity to attract support and funding.

Alongside volunteering and being a caring visitor when on the Trail, individuals can help by providing feedback, donations, sponsorship and grants. Everyone is encouraged to join the charity Friends of the Ridgeway, e.g. it costs £8 a year for individual membership. A list of specific projects inviting volunteers, grants, donations, sponsorship etc will be made available here soon and will be shaped by the Ridgeway Future 50 vision. Existing projects needing support include the Ridgeway Riding Route project in the Chilterns and drinking water fountains.

How do I share my ideas on the next 50 years (Ridgeway Future 50)?

Everyone, of all ages and backgrounds, is invited to tell us what they would like to see along The Ridgeway National Trail over the next 50 years. Everyone’s contributions will help us shape the Ridgeway Future 50 vision.

Ideas submitted by various people through the anniversary year can be seen here.

Topics to consider include people’s wellbeing, climate crisis, biodiversity crisis, local tourism economy and development. The Ridgeway Top 50 could also spark some ideas

You can send your ideas to us via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (#Ridgeway50) or by email ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

What volunteering opportunities are there to support The Ridgeway?

We have a long-running volunteer scheme and we always welcome volunteers although some activities are over-subscribed. In 2021, our volunteers were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service so they are a great bunch to join!

Details about volunteering are on our website here.

How do I donate to The Ridgeway?

Any size donation is welcomed. We encourage individuals to donate to the charity Friends of the Ridgeway with whom we work alongside (charity number 1107926).

Text to donate from £1 to £20 to the charity Friends of the Ridgeway. Text RIDGEWAY followed by your donation amount to 70560, e.g. RIDGEWAY £3. Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

Donate online here.

If your donation is from a company or you intend to donate more than £250, please contact the Ridgeway Officer to discuss specific projects where your donation is best allocated: ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

A list of specific projects inviting donations will be made available here soon and will be shaped by the Ridgeway Future 50 vision, but existing projects needing support include the Ridgeway Riding Route project in the Chilterns and drinking water fountains.

How do I become a sponsor of The Ridgeway volunteer group or other project?

We welcome enquiries about sponsorship, particularly around sponsors for our volunteer scheme we share with the Thames Path National Trail. Our volunteers were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021.

Please email the Ridgeway Officer ridgeway@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Thank you.

How do I join the Friends of the Ridgeway charity?

The charity was established in 1983 and works with the Ridgeway Partnership to secure a positive future for The Ridgeway National Trail. It is easy to join online.

Membership rates as at June 2022 are:

Individual £8, Family £15, Lifetime £80.

Charity number 1107926.

Anniversary merchandise

Special postcards, posters and booklets are being designed to celebrate the anniversary and to raise funds for projects on The Ridgeway. These items will be available from the National Trails online shop on this website and from the following outlets along The Ridgeway (to be confirmed).

Some materials will also be available free of charge as downloads from this website, e.g. #RidgewaySpotter guide, new Ridgeway leaflet.