The Court Hill Centre on the Ridgeway long distance path provides ideal camping and hostel accommodation for individuals, small groups and larger groups. The rural location, simple campsite, teachers accommodation and class room make it ideal for DofE expeditions and training.

The Court Hill Centre (near Wantage) is just off the ancient Ridgeway path.  It is an ex-YHA hostel (previouly know at YHA Ridgeway)  that still offers hospitality to walkers travelling the path. Its a charming set of buildings, all wood beams and exposed bricks, arranged around a central grassed courtyard.

Although designated a National Trail in 1972, the Ridgeway has been used for up to 5000 years. in continuous use for thousands of years, by Bronze age people, Romans, Vikings, medieval and now DofE expeditions.   From the Uffington White Horse, past Wayland’s Smithy to Avebury Stones, it links atmospheric ancient site to dramatic vista. The path takes in the tops of high chalk ridges, tree lined lanes and hollow ways.

The Courthill Centre in rural Oxfordshire provides low cost fully catered accommodation for school groups, with sole use of the facilities, large attic dorm rooms and private bedrooms for teachers.

Home cooked meals are served in the hostels high-roofed dining room which retains the impressive proportions and atmosphere of the old barn.  The is a bright and airy classroom for indoor activities and the grounds are ideal for children to explore.  There are wild woodland areas and a flat camping area overlooking the Vale of the White Horse.  Bring your school group to the Courthill Centre for a friendly welcome from experienced staff, a rural wildlife experience for the children and the knowledge that your trip has a low environmental impact.

Follow a route that has been walked and rewalked since prehistoric times- by soldiers, knights, and herdsmen who trekked  87 miles along the Ridgeway passes, setting in stone the majestically beautiful trail for you to follow through secluded valleys and mystical woodlands even today!  The Courthill Centre offers comfortable accommodation for walkers only a few steps from the Ridgeway Trail.

The Court Hill Centre (near Wantage) is just off the ancient Ridgeway path. It is an ex-YHA hostel that still offers hospitality to walkers travelling the path. Its a charming set of buildings, all wood beams and exposed bricks, arranged around a central grassed courtyard.

Although designated a National Trail in 1972, the Ridgeway has been used for up to 5000 years. I love that Britain has these sorts of places, in continuous use for thousands of years, by Bronze age people, Romans, Vikings, medieval and modern.

I’m reminded of the words of inspirational walker and writer Robert MacFarlane, who like me, loves this sort of road. “Paths are human,” they are formed of the habitual passage of feet. We walk them alongside the spirits of all those who have walked before. We add our footprints to theirs. We share the same views.  If you walk the Ridgeway across the chalk of the North Wessex Downs AONB and The Chiltern Hills AONB, you can’t help but be aware of the history (and pre-history!) that you’re walking through. From the Uffington White Horse, past Wayland’s Smithy to Avebury Stones, it links atmospheric ancient site to dramatic vista. The path takes in the tops of high chalk ridges, tree lined lanes and hollow ways.

Dramatic, Atmospheric, steeped in ancient, ancient memories.