Vale of White Horse Ramblers are a friendly group who walk mid-week and weekends in southern Oxfordshire. Highlights are the Ridgeway, the Thames Path, and the Uffington White Horse.
This very short walk is linked to The Uffington Museum’s 2024 exhibition on the crew of Wellington bomber DV595 which crashed during World War II. This walk, which includes stops and commentary along part of the Uffington Village Trail, is to the small memorial plaque that is a few hundred yards south of the village alongside a footpath that leads up onto the Downs. There are likely to be cattle on the route so only Registered Assistance Dogs please.
It was at 0105 hours on 25 August 1942 that Wellington bomber DV595, on a night bombing practice flight out of RAF Harwell over Odstone Down (SSW of Uffington), collided with Wellington N2755 from RAF Hampstead Norris. N2755 survived but DV595 crashed, killing all the crew.
From the shop in the car park at Uffington village hall (Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall) we’ll walk down the High Street with old chalk buildings, including one occupied by Poet Laureat Sir John Betjeman between 1934 and 1945. Shortly after the Fox and Hounds pub we’ll make our way along a field path to the plaque where we’ll pay our respects to the crew and look over the Downs in the direction of Odstone Down.
Then we’ll retrace our steps, continuing along the Village Trail to St. Mary’s Church, dubbed the Cathedral of the Vale by John Betjeman, finishing at the Museum which is adjacent to the church. Entrance to the museum is free (www.uffingtonmuseum.co.uk). The Fox and Hounds pub is open on both weekend afternoons (www.uffingtonpub.co.uk/food-and-drink). From June until September between 3.00 and 5.30 pm teas and home-made cakes are served in St. Mary's Church (www.uffington.net/visitor-info/food/ ) Vale Walk Leader DC 01367 820683 / 07544 979253
Uffington, the village hall car park
