Ridgeway Top 50

Fifty stories of fact and fiction to inspire visits along The Ridgeway

The Ridgeway Top 50 reveals the oldest monument, the rarest flower, the famous writers, the mysterious druids and more. What will be your favourite Top 50?

Launched by Mary-Ann Ochota on social media on New Year’s Day 2023, the Ridgeway Top 50 is a year-long treasure hunt revealing the rich history, wildlife, art, farming, sport and landmarks of The Ridgeway. It is designed to offer something new and free for everyone to enjoy online and to inspire ideas for days out and longer trips to the Trail during 2023 and beyond.

Open-work spire of St Peters in Wallingford. Credit Bill Nicholls, Wikicommons

Click button below for latest entry to the Top 50 or keep scrolling down for full list

A new entry is revealed every Sunday from 8th January to 31st December 2023

Latest entry published 24th Dec 2023

Each week of 2023 will reveal a new entry added to the list below to build a complete set of 50 stories of fact and fiction linked to places to visit to experience the Top 50 first-hand. Each entry is published in conjunction with a social media post every Sunday at 7pm from 8th January to 31st December 2023 on The Ridgeway National Trail’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You are invited to follow the Ridgeway Top 50 using the hashtag #Ridgeway50. Please share your thoughts and experiences of the Top 50 using the hashtag #Ridgeway50 to create a Ridgeway community Top 50 as a momento of the 50th anniversary.

The Top 50 may also stimulate ideas about what is important for The Ridgeway’s future. Bearing in mind topics such as the ‘climate crisis’, wellbeing, development and inclusion, everyone is invited to share their thoughts under the hashtag #Ridgeway50 on social media or by email to shape the Ridgeway Future 50 vision.

To stay updated as the Top 50 builds through 2023, follow The Ridgeway on social media or subscribe to our newsletter

Number 1: Sarsen stones

Posted on social media 8th January 2023

Fifty stories of fact and fiction to inspire visits along The Ridgeway

Click button below for latest entry to the Top 50 or keep scrolling down for full list

To stay updated as the Top 50 builds through 2023, follow The Ridgeway on social media or subscribe to our newsletter

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Ridgeway Top 50

Number 1: Sarsen stones

Number 2: Merlin, druids and paganism

Number 3: Wayfarers, wanderers and pilgrims

Number 4: Kites and other birds of prey

Number 5: Wayland's Smithy

Number 6: TV, film and music

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Number 7: Shrubs and trees

Number 8: Famous writers

Number 9: Lowbury Hill

Number 10: Ground-nesting birds

Number 11: Stone stories

Number 12: Horses

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Number 13: Famous photographers

Number 14: Flower of blood

Number 15: Famous artists

Number 16: St George and the Dragon

Number 17: Sheep

Number 18: King Alfred the Great

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Number 19: Chalk figures

Number 20: Hawthorn

Number 21: Disabled adventures

Number 22: Famous nature lovers

Number 23: Food and drink

Number 24: Cycling

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Number 25: Butterflies

Number 26: Icknield Way

Number 27: Chalk streams

Number 28: Swords and hoards

Number 29: Famous archaeologists

Number 30: Chalk flowers

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Number 31: River Thames

Number 32: Industrial heritage

Number 33: Trail running

Number 34: Fruits and nuts

Number 35: Viewpoints and views

Number 36: Highest hills

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Number 37: Protests and progress

Number 38: Grim's Ditch

Number 39: Traditional buildings

Number 40: Historic parklands

Number 41: Story of chalk

Number 42: Beech is Queen

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Number 43: Trigs and maps

Number 44: Wartime

Number 45: Hillforts

Number 46: Pubs

Number 47: Barrows and bumps

Number 48: Hares

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Number 49: Meeting places

Number 50: Churches

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Attention please!