The Ridgeway: Uffington Castle to Scutchamer Knob
Walk up to The Ridgeway from the car park and turn left along it. The Ridgeway shuns Uffington Castle, as if to make it clear that it is of greater antiquity, and continues its journey eastwards.
From the B4001 crossing, The Ridgeway continues eastwards, with the natural amphitheatre of the Devil’s Punchbowl immediately below the edge of the scarp. The village at its base is Letcombe Bassett, the ‘Cresscombe’ of Thomas Hardy’s bleak novel Jude the Obscure. Hardy wrote the book while staying in the area and a number of the places passed on this section of The Ridgeway appear there with no greater disguise than a change of name. In fact, a short way ahead, the junction with the A338 marks the site of Jude’s ill-fated vision of the spires of Oxford.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
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