Route over the Berkshire Downs with a visit to the hillfort at Uffington Castle and the White Horse
Monday 9th June 2008 - afternoon
Dragon Hill, the White Horse and Uffington Castle on the Ridgeway near Woolstone in Oxfordshire

A walk on the Berkshire Downs is planned for the afternoon on Monday 9th June 2008 following lunch at the White Horse pub in Woolstone, some 20 miles south of Witney. Woolstone is a small village at the foot of the north facing scarp slope below the Ridgeway overlooking the Vale of the White Horse. For details of the location of the pub and the walk, follow the link. More

What are the arrangements and timing for this event?
Members meeting up at the pub in Woolstone for lunch will be joined by members of the group who will have toured the BMH Body Plant in Witney earlier that morning. The pub, aptly called the White Horse, has a spacious car park and serves a variety of bar lunches and has Arkells ales.

Following lunch the group will drive up the scarp slope to the car park on Woolstone Hill which is a short walk from Uffington Castle, a Bronze Age hill fort. This large grassed earthwork is high up on the downs adjacent to the Ridgeway, an ancient long distance pathway which runs from close to Marlborough in Wiltshire through to Streatley and Goring on the Thames and on through Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. On a fine day it is a pleasure to enjoy the panorama from Uffington Castle to the north over the Vale of the White Horse. Below the northern ramparts is the famous White Horse cut into the turf near Dragon Hill.

A walk along the Ridgeway to the west of Whitehorse Hill to visit Wayland's Smithy - an ancient long barrow in a quiet copse - is planned and, conditions permitting, a circular walk may also be available. Members intending to join this part of the day should come with stout footware, or preferably walking boots, together with waterproof clothing in case of inclement weather. The Berkshire Downs are wonderful in warm sunshine but as the ridge is on elevated ground (261m/850 ft) it can be very cold in wind and rain.

Following the walk members can visit Britchcombe Farm, just to the east of Woolstone, for a delicious cream tea.

The White Horse in Woolstone

What are the arrangements for joining this event?
 Members booking in advance will enable the event coordinator, Allan Doyle, to pre-advise both the pub and teashop of the number of members planning to join the party so sufficient catering can be arranged. Members' guests are very welcome to attend this event.
Prior booking fee is £2.50 including VAT. Please note both lunch and tea are not included in either the booking fee or the V8 Pass so will be on a "pay your own way" basis.

Online booking is straightforward and convenient with secure payment with most debit and charge cards through the secure payment processing services provided by WorldPay, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Book your place online now

How do I get from Witney to Woolstone?
Links to maps covering the are available online which you can download. More

Where is the pub in Woolstone and the car park for Whitehorse Hill, and where is the teashop?
Links to location maps are available online which you can download to help you find the pub, car park below Whitehorse Hill and the farm teashop. More

Photo of the farm teashop near the White Horse to follow
Teashop at Britchcombe Farm near the White Horse
Check the bookings for the V8 30th Anniversary Week
Need additional information?
The coordinator for this event is Allan Doyle who can be contacted by email or telephone at 0049 9131 603192
Why not get a V8 Pass for the V8 30th Anniversary Week?
There is a special V8 Pass which covers most of the events in the V8 30th Anniversary Week which is both convenient and good value. See V8 Pass for full details of what the package covers and how to book. At only £64.00 including VAT, the package of benefits with the V8 Pass represents very good value. Please note, the V8 Dinner is not included in the package of benefits provided by the V8 Pass.