Easgor one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Lovely route following part of the Ridgeway, with beautiful views of rolling countryside all around. Plenty of interesting megalithic sites to see if that is your thing, and geocaches too. Slight confusion at the start where I missed the footpath on the map and almost walked along the road, but I soon put myself right. Fairly accessible, no stiles or gates, mostly hard trackway aside from as you leave East Ilsley. The route ends in the very nice village of Goring, where there are plenty of options for refreshments.

I have put my journey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/itsmesarah1886/status/1609648475439775744?s=46&t=XqOIsNkgG_xsj3svinQJUQ.

East Ilsey to Goring (Easgor 1) review.

A marvellous Slow Way which follows the Ridgeway National Trail. There aren’t any convenient break points during the route, so remember to carry enough food and water with you.

Note: I walked from Goring to East Ilsey.

The route starts at Goring Station. It passes through Goring and across the Thames into Streatley. The Bull (Photo 1) is the last chance for a drink and to fill water bottles before heading up onto the Ridgeway.

The route follows a tarmacked lane out of Streatley and then a footpath ascending through woods. This emerges onto the familiar chalky path of the Ridgeway (Photo 2).

There are plenty of great views and wildlife to enjoy on the Ridgeway. I recommend picking up a pocket guide.

The Slow Way leaves the Ridgeway at a crossroads, taking a grassy path towards the road into East Ilsey (Photo 3).

There is a footpath beside the road for most of the way into the village. East Ilsey was once famous for its sheep market. The helpful staff at The Swan (Photo 4) told me the village is served by Bus No. 6 from Newbury.

An easy-to-follow scenic route mostly following The Ridgeway National Trail with great views extending over Oxfordshire to the north and Berkshire to the south. Popular with walkers and off-road cyclists (being part of the King Alfred’s Way bikepacking route).
From East Ilsley, a narrow footpath leads to a wider grassy byway which climbs to join The Ridgeway at approx. 2km. Much of The Ridgeway along this section is broad track with hard compacted surface – smooth in some places but stonier or with shallow ruts in others. There are a few ups and downs but no gates or stiles. At approx. 8km, the track becomes a quiet road and leads down past some houses and the golf club towards Streatley. There is no pavement until the road meets the busier Wantage Road at approx. 10.5km. Then it's an easy pavement walk to Streatley and over the bridge to Goring.
The earliest opportunity on the route for refreshment is on arrival in Streatley & Goring where there are several pubs, cafes and shops.

Easgor One follows the Ridgeway across this beautiful part of Berkshire (although we walked this route in reverse). The Ridgeway is well marked and with a hardpacked path easy under foot or wheel. There is a small amount of road walking at the end at you arrive in the beautiful town of Goring. The countryside is stunning and this route offers a lot of variety. Although there are good rail connections the buses aren't very frequent, there are a couple of villages on route or nearby but the pubs weren't open early in the week.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.