Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize

The Ridgeway – the oldest road in Britain – with its wonderful views and its powerful atmosphere has always appealed to the creative spark in artists and in all of us.

With this background, based on a generous donation, The Friends of The Ridgeway have established an arts competition and prize – the Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize. The aim of the competition is to bring The Ridgeway to life not only as a long distance trail but as an artistic inspiration. The first competition was held in 2017 and it is hoped that it will be an annual event.

The competition is open to different categories of work of painting, sculpture, photography and writing (poetry or prose), that show aspects of The Ridgeway, its history and environs, in any season. The theme in the 2025 competion will be ‘Colours and Hues of the Ridgeway’.

The competition is open to all, both professional and amateur artists. Art work submitted must be produced in the 24 months prior to closing date (March 28 2025).

The results of the competition will be announced and prizes awarded during the afternoon of the second day of the Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize exhibition, which is held in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April 2025 from 10 am until 5 pm. Most of the artworks will be for sale. You will find more about the theme plus details of how to submit artworks here.

The overall winner is awarded the Swire Ridgeway Arts Prize along with a keeper prize and cash award. Each category award winner receives a cash sum and a keeper prize.