This Ordnance Survey explorer map covers: Abingdon, Wantage & Vale of White Horse (and also includes the Thames Path and The Ridgeway).

The map is pictured, for effect, on the worn surface of The Ridgeway – a prehistoric high road above the Berkshire Downs.

The closest section of the Ridgeway to Abingdon is approached through East Hendred, and along a straight tree-lined road that ends at a little shadey car-park with a warning about not leaving valuables in your car.

The rolling view of the ridgeway is seen walking east. Looking down you can see the Diamond Light Source. (Acknowledgements to The Diamond Light Source for the picture.) Very soon it will be operational and experimentation can begin.

Abingdon itself is built on an area of Kimmeridge Clay and the Berkshire Downs are largely chalk. The Diamond Light Source contains