Ridgeway Downs

'Just one call and the whole holiday was arranged for us. We had a lovely holiday and the horses loved it too' - Felicity Howard

Ridgeway Downs is separated from Wansdyke by the M4. It is a small network that extends east from Lambourne across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. There's a lot of open downland dotted with racehorse gallops, and there are wonderful views from the Ridgeway Path, which runs along the northern edge of the network, over the Vale of White Horse. The bulk of the riding network area is to the south of the Ridgeway, and comprises of secluded chalk valleys and arable farming country. The hills are fairly gentle and there are almost no gates, so it's a great starter network for first-time trail riders, although the long canters will appeal to experienced ones too!

The Wansdyke network joins the Ridgeway and extends across the chalk ridge country around Marlborough and Savernake Forest in Wiltshire as far east as Inkpen Hill and the chalk downs along Wiltshire /Hampshire border. The Kennet valley and the Vale of Pewsey run east-west across the network area, with canals, lush watermeadows and pretty villages that make a complete contrast with the chalk downs to the north and south. The downs are littered with ancient earthworks, sarsen stones and Bronze Age barrows and, in the west of the network, you can ride through Avebury stone circle, which is 5,000 years old.

The going is generally good with long, grassy canters over the downs, which contrast with gentle farmland and hidden valleys. Although there are some hills, the route is not too challenging, and there aren't many gates.

There is a choice of one-centre holidays on this network, with a variety of 'petal' rides on offer.

This 18 mile 'petal' ride takes you over the race-horse training area around East and West Ilsley. You also ride along the Ridgeway, one of the oldest trackways in Europe.

On this ride you go alongside, and sometimes on or across racehorse gallops. The horses are usually only taken out at 9 am and 11 am, so if you do meet a string of racehorses galloping, take extra care; your horses may want to join them!

Call us on +44 (0)1225 000000 or email contact@redlandsequestrian.com to check the ride availability and dates, once we have confirmed availability you can download and fill in a booking form:

• UK Rides Booking Form
• Worldwide Rides Booking Form

Each rider in the party must also complete a riding ability questionnaire before we can complete the final confirmation of your holiday booking.