This book about the oldest road in Europe running along the escarpment of the English Downs is introduced by an essay that examines descriptions of it by literary figures. In an endeavour to evoke the pleasure of walking the route which begins at the mysterious stone circles of Avebury, past earthworks, fortresses and burial mounds, the author has illustrated the book with landscape paintings done by a number of artists who had been inspired by the Ridgeway in different seasons and moods.