Experience Oxfordshire Guide 2019

55
Focus on: Faringdon
A beautiful old market town with a history dating back
centuries, Faringdon is full of heritage; immediately
noticeable in the quaint town centre where you will
find 12th century All Saints church, old coaching inns,
Georgian fronted buildings, the 17th century town hall,
and the odd pink pigeon!* Now occupied by a diverse
array of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, the
town centre is a hive of activity. Just a short five minute
walk from the town centre, you will find Faringdon’s
Folly Tower. Built in 1935 by Lord Berner, the 100ft high
tower was the last major Folly to be built in England,
and sits on a hill amongst a circular woodland,
providing panoramic views over the town and beyond.
Around the County: Vale of White Horse
* Lord Berner was famously known to throw themed
parties featuring pink dyed pigeons; see if you can
spot the ornamental pigeons on buildings around
the town!
4.
Blowing Stone
Wantage
5.
Court Hill Centre
6.
in Oxfordshire with views across 6 different
counties, and is hugely popular with dog
walkers, picnickers, and kite fliers alike!
From White Horse Hill, carry on a further
3.5 miles to the village of Kingston Lisle,
where you will find one of the Ridgeways’
most famous sarsen stones; the Blowing
Stone (4) . Believed to have been the site
from which King Alfred summoned Saxon
troops for the Battle of Ashdown, the
stone is a popular site of interest along
this ancient pathway. Whilst in this area,
discover more about King Alfred in the
town of Wantage (5) , where he was born.
From the Blowing Stone, walk 5 miles along
the Ridgeway to arrive at Court Hill
Centre (6) in Letcombe Regis; an ideal spot
to recuperate for the night before continuing
along the path to Streatley and Goring the
next morning.
Oxfordshire Ridgeway Trail: Wayland’s Smithy to Wallingford