In 1764, the local squire Edward Horne gave Watlington a most unusual talking point. He felt that the Norman parish church of St. Leonard, when viewed from his home, would be more impressive if it had a spire.

To create the illusion, he designed the 270-foot (82 m) steeple-shaped Watlington White Mark, which he then cut into the chalk escarpment of Watlington Hill, perfectly placed to complete his view (trees now obscure much of it today).

The White Mark is one of around fifty hill figures in England.
nationaltrust.org.uk/chilterns-countryside/trails/watlington-hill-and-the-wormsley-estate--an-emblematic-chilterns-walk

Russell_Dennehy-Carr

July 17, 2020

Hiking

Incredible views from this national trust area....also free parking

Wongy

June 7, 2020

Hiking

These things are best seen from a distance.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Nearby routes

Best routes near Watlington White Mark

4.7

(32)

123

hikers

1. Watlington Hill – Watlington White Mark loop from Watlington

13.1km

03:40

250m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.6

(27)

121

hikers

2. Watlington Hill – Watlington White Mark loop from Christmas Common

11.2km

03:10

240m

230m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.7

(15)

hikers

3. Watlington White Mark – Watlington Hill loop from Aston Rowant Nature Reserve

16.0km

04:36

360m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 230 m

Weather

Today

Monday 16 March

12°C

3°C

17 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Location: Watlington, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Watlington Hill

Swyncombe Downs Hilltop

View of the Rolling Hills and Wildflower Fields in Chilterns National Landscape

Turville Village

Watlington Market Town

Station Road to Shirburn Hill Path

Forest Bridleway in Chilterns National Landscape

View of Oxford from the Chilterns

Britwell Hill

View of Aylesbury Vale from Chilterns National Landscape

Woodland in Chilterns National Landscape

Downhill Singletrack in Chilterns National Landscape

Watlington White Mark

1. Watlington Hill – Watlington White Mark loop from Watlington

2. Watlington Hill – Watlington White Mark loop from Christmas Common

3. Watlington White Mark – Watlington Hill loop from Aston Rowant Nature Reserve

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️