The Long Man of Wilmington (a chalk giant!)
One of the most famed chalk drawings in England is the Long Man of Wilmington, carved into the South Downs. This 70 ft giant has remained a puzzle for generations. Believed to be from 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. 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.
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.
One of Litlington’s main claims to fame, is that it’s home to one of England’s smallest churches. 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!
