The Area

The Blowing Stone, Kingston Lisle
The blowing stone itself is a perforated sarsen stone boulder. Anyone with the required skill (of which not many have succeeded!), is able to produce a haunting horn like sound. According to legend, the Stone was the means whereby the future King Alfred (originally from Wantage) summoned his Saxon troops, in readiness for the nearby Battle of Ashdown, against the Vikings. This legend reputedly gives rise to the village’s name, ‘King’s stone’, with the Lisle suffix being a later addition.

The stone is mentioned in the Thomas Hughes (born in Uffington) novel Tom Brown’s Schooldays and is referred to therein as the Blawing Stwun. In the same work, the village is called Kingstone Lisle.

It is also one of the ‘sacred stones’ mentioned in William Horwood’s Duncton Wood, the first book in his fantasy fiction series about a group of moles.

The current location of the Blowing Stone is at the foot of Blowing Stone Hill, a short distance from the Historic Ridgeway, National Trail and is on the way to the Blowing Stone free house which is open all day to weary walkers.

Uffington White Horse
A short distance further along the Ridgeway and surrounded by wonderful scenery, with views across seven counties, lies Uffington Castle, the Uffington White Horse (the oldest chalk sculpture in Britain), Wayland Smithy, and Dragons hill. A Mecca for walkers and tourists alike.

Britchcombe Farm Camp Site
Britchcombe Farm Camp Site is only a few miles from the Blowing Stone free house. It has won several awards (Guardian, Observer and Telegraph) for general management and also for its spectacular location tucked beneath the White Horse Hill, and Uffington Castle.

Lambourn
The Blowing Stone free house is also situated a short distance across the Berkshire downs from Lambourn, the Capital of Horse Racing, and is a favourite haunt for many of the racing community. Pop in for a pint and you’re likely to see champion trainers and jockeys dining there!