chalk horses Lisa Graa Jensen

Lisa Graa Jensen

Chalk figures in England date back to ancient times, crafted by long-lost communities. There are a few others in southern England (Oxfordshire’s Uffington Horse, Dorset’s Cerne Abbas Giant and the Long Man of Wilmington in Sussex). But nearly all chalk horses remaining, are here in Wiltshire.

The best-known is Westbury White Horse at Bratton Camp, which dates from the late 1600s. It’s surrounded by chalk grassland that supports herbs and grasses, giving habitat to the rare Adonis blue butterfly and forester moth.

The Long Man of Wilmington (East Sussex)

the Wilmington giant Ian O'Halloran

Ian O’Halloran

One of the most famed chalk drawings in England is the Long Man of Wilmington, carved into the South Downs near Alfriston, a pretty village in East Sussex. This 70 ft giant man has remained a puzzle for generations, as to who he is, and why he got there.

Believed to be from as early as the Iron Age or built by Romans, there is a sketch from 1710, so we know he is over 300 years old.

The white chalk had faded, but in 1920 local people and historians got out their chisel and paint, and gave him a makeover, and today it has some concrete blocks, so is easy to maintain.

the hare and the long man Denise Coble

Denise Coble

The Long Man holds a stave in each hand, with some believing these to be either to symbolise his strength, or perhaps to measure the land or he perhaps was an astronomer? Or he is watching over the fields? Nobody knows.

One tale is that he marks the site of eternal rest, of two giant brothers who roamed the South Downs, and fell in battle. If you wish to visit the Long Man without a big hike, it’s good viewed from Wilmington Priory.

Litlington horse Ian O'Halloran

Ian O’Halloran

Not as well known but close-by is the Litlington Horse. This little beauty is much newer, carved into the hillside only in 1924, crafted with precision to be a local landmark. The village is situated on the banks of the River Cuckmere, and dates back to Domesday times.

One of Litlington’s main claims to fame, is that it’s home to the smallest church in England. A charming architectural gem inspired by Gothic structure, it was built in the 13th century, so is much older than its horse friend – by several hundred years!

A Guide to Britain’s Landmarks and Legends

Britain's landmarks and legends

Britain’s Landmarks & Legends is a beautifully illustrated book to reveal the secrets and stories of 50 icons of our landscapes. From natural wonders like Cheddar Gorge, Sherwood Forest and the White Cliffs of Dover, to others made by our distance ancestors (the standing stones of Avebury and Calanais), the Uffington White Horse and the burial mounds of Sutton Hoo.

Discover how they came to be, the legends surrounding them and how they have inspired famous writers and poets.

Many of the landmarks in this book are open to the public. However, a few are located on private land with no public right of access, and it is essential to obtain permission from landowners or authorities before attempting to visit them in person.

Where public access is possible, some places still necessitate an arduous trek over difficult terrain – especially those in Wales and Scotland. I would strongly advise you to steer clear of Dunmail Raise, because it stands in the central reservation of a dual carriageway.

Jo Woolf is a writer with particular interest in landscape, wildlife and nature. She also writes on ancient sites and the stories and legends connected to them. She was Writer in Residence at Royal Scottish Geographical Society and is an Honorary Fellow of the Society.

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