Mary-Ann Ochota tracks the pathways of our ancestors from the Uffington White Horse to the incredible site of Avebury Henge. She starts her adventure on Uffington Hill, where there’s a whole collection of prehistoric treasures, but the main attraction is the White Horse and on hand to tell Mary-Ann all its secrets is White Horse mega fan Andy Foley. Afterwards Mary-Ann is back on her journey, walking to Wayland’s Smithy, one of the oldest monuments on the ridgeway and indeed one of the oldest monuments in the whole country. After exploring the myths of this magical site with storyteller Jason Buck, the pair settle in for a summer night of folktales about the Ridgeway around a crackling campfire. The next day the walk continues through the spring sunshine, accompanied by skylarks and blossoming mayflower, as Mary-Ann hikes from Hackpen Hill to Fyfield Down, where she uncovers an incredible object used over 6,500 years ago by our prehistoric ancestors.
In episode two we’ll be investigating the mysteries that surround the Ridgeway, meeting archeological experts and families who have farmed here for generations.