Exploring England's enigmatic hill carvings — chalk hill figures

One of the largest white horses in Wiltshire, this magnificent hill carving was cut in 1812 and commissioned by a local farmer. The horse is 180 feet (55 m) high and 160 feet (49 m) long, lying above the village of Alton Barnes and the Vale of Pewsey in the North Wessex Downs. This carving is fairly easy to see …read more

The Devizes White Horse is the youngest in the country, having been cut in celebration of the Millennium and finished in 1999. It’s a new version of an old horse nearby, Snob’s Horse. It’s close to other white horses, including the Alton Barnes white horse to the east and can be seen from Bratton Down, home to the Westbury white …read more

Cut into quite a steep slope, the Cherhill White Horse is easy to see from the north, and sits just outside of Cherhill village, not far from Avebury and its ancient stone circle. The horse is on the older side of Wiltshire’s hill figures – dating from the 18th century. It’s just below Oldbury Castle hillfort and near numerous other …read more

Supposedly inspired by the beautiful Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire, the Kilburn horse was cut in the 1800s, likely commissioned and created by locals. The horse is enormous, covering 1.6 acres (6,475.0 m2) and shines bright white against the green grass and woodland surrounding it. It lies just above the village of Kilburn, on the very edge of the North …read more

Quite possibly the most charming of all England’s hill carvings, the Bulford Kiwi was cut by New Zealand soldiers waiting to return home after the First World War. Impatience and unrest were brewing in the military base below Bulford Down and so the men’s commanding officers had them cut a giant kiwi into the hillside.

Begin at the Kiwi viewing …read more

One of the most beautiful and certainly the most artistic of all the country’s hill carvings, the Uffington White Horse is a true icon. This magnificent horse is the oldest of any carving in the country, dating back to the Bronze ages. The horse is well-cared for, with frequent maintenance to keep it bright. Find it in the Oxfordshire countryside, …read more

The Osmington White Horse lies near the Dorset coastline just east of Weymouth and is unique in that it features a rider. Not just any rider, but King George III who loved the area and helped turn Weymouth into the country’s first resort. Cut in 1808, the horse is easily seen and underwent significant renovation ahead of the London 2021 …read more

In the far eastern reaches of the South Downs National Park lies the Long Man of Wilmington, one of England’s oldest hill carvings. At 235 feet (72 m) tall and holding two poles, this fascinating figure is quite arresting. Once thought to be prehistoric, analysis suggests the Long Man dates back to the 16th century. A few miles south west …read more

Perhaps the most iconic of all England’s chalk hill figures is the Cerne Abbas Giant, largely because of its enormous, erect phallus. Created for unknown regions, likely around the 10th century, it’s now under the care – like many hill figures – of the National Trust who work to maintain the chalk outline. Below, on the outskirts of the village …read more

The oldest of Salisbury Plain’s white horses, the Westbury horse is one of the most famous. Cut in 1772, potentially on the site of an older cutting, the horse lies on a hillside just outside the town of Westbury and immediately below an ancient hillfort – Bratton Camp. This horse is particularly easy to see and to reach, thanks to …read more