Wantage and the Vale of White Horse

Highlights
The views of the Vale of White Horse as you cross the ancient Ridgeway.

The swooping three-part descent to Wantage.

Hazards
The last part of the descent into Wantage narrows as you pass the 30 mph sign. Keeping below the speed limit here is strongly advised.

Fast traffic on the A4130 west of Wallingford. This can be avoided by taking the Sustrans NCN route through Brightwell-cum-Sotwell. This requires two crossings of the A road within a mile, so you might think it’s easier to ride along the main road, which is wide and has good visibility.

Hospitality
The Saddleback Farm Shop, one-third of the way around the ride. The best flapjack in Berkshire, plus lots of other good stuff.

The Old Farmhouse Bakery in Steventon – a real old fashioned bakery, but check for opening hours.

Lots of choice in Wantage and Wallingford.

Hints
The route into Wantage follows two linking cul-de-sacs: Eagles Close and Post Office Lane. Eagles Close is a slight right-left dogleg at the bottom of the descent from the Downs. As mapped the route does a lap of the market place in Wantage, to access the shops and cafes. This could be omitted by turning left at the end of Post Office Lane then immediately right into Church Street.

The route as mapped turns right along the far side of The Green in Steventon, to access the bakery. This could be omitted by staying on Abingdon Road.