Does anyone have any experience with the car park at Widecombe in the Moor? Was going to spend 3 or 4 days pottering around Dartmoor with a friend. Had everything planed out (but not double checked obviously. I always forget about car parks), and I just happened to pull up google street view and noticed that the village car park is pay and display. The guide didn't mention anything about it, and it was only written last year. I thought it a bit odd, and now I have a serious case of the doubts.
Does anyone know if I can pay for a couple of days? Or is it standard 24hrs only? And if it is, any suggestions as to somewhere else to park, cos I aint popping back every day to get myself another ticket. Thats a little pointless.
I live near the Ivinghoe Beacon end of the Ridgeway and have walked it all at various stages of my life (although I have just realized, I have never done it non-stop. bit of an oversight on my part)
Its wet in winter, but not knee high bog. Chalk is slippery, but its not like your gonna slip and fall off a cliff. I been up in snow, not difficult, just watch for the badger holes near Aldbury and Wigginton. surprisingly deep. It can get a little exposed on some of the beacons, and along ridges near Chinnor and Bishopstone, but its never that bad and its pretty easy to get lower.
Town farm Campsite is great. Give Silver Birch a miss. I haven't stayed there yet, but next summer one DofE team will be staying at Brimmers Farm (they are horse riding for their exped) Its a newish campsite near Princes Risbourgh. Though, to be honest, it is really easy to find a secluded spot for a fast wild camp. I have been told that especially on the eastern end of the trail, campsites are far and few between. oh, and finding water can be a hassel in some places.
The bacon sandwiches at Ashridge Visitors center are amazing (not exactly on the trail, but they are awesome, always worth mentioning)
can I vote for skittles? Not a big fan of jelly babies (when I was younger, I ate several packs in on sitting. Still cant get the image of multi-coloured vomit out of my head) and I end up smashing M&M's every time I fall over. hmmmmm.... skittles
PirateDani
