スティープルアッシュトンの天然記念物・トップ5

Don't forget to look to the east! There's an unobstructed view across to the Westbury White Horse in the distance 🐴

The oldest of the Wiltshire white horses this was originally cut in 1772 and restored in 1778. There was evidence of an older horse here facing the other way, but no strong evidence suggests how old that was. In 1872/1873 the horse was considered to be losing its shape, it was re cut and edging stones added. In 1957 the horse was concreted to preserve it. For the runner the trails around the top of the horse are great fun and the 33-mile Imber trail also passes here. There are nice loops from the car park above the horse or from nearby Westbury.

There are over 1,200 hillforts in England, most of which occupy fantastic viewpoints and Bratton Camp hillfort is no different. In fact, it has a truly extraordinary vistas from its earthen ramparts. The camp sits just on the ridge between Westbury and Bratton, and immediately above the Westbury White Horse. There's a long barrow within the castle's fortifications estimated to be around 5,000 years old.

Westbury White Horse was originally cut in the late 1600s and is the oldest white horse in Wiltshire. From this spot, you are afforded lovely views.

Middle Hill, nicknamed locally as ‘piggy in the middle’, is a conical chalk hill that stands between Battlesbury Hill to the northwest and Scratchbury to the southeast. This row of hills is on the southwestern edge of Salisbury Plain overlooks the Wylye valley. Atop the hill you find an ancient and sizable bowl barrow.

Bratton Camp was originally an Iron Age hill fort built over 2,000 years ago to defend the settlement from its enemies. Today the hill's most defining feature is the striking white horse cut into its slopes. Records suggest that the horse was made at the end of the 17th century to commemorate the Battle of Ethandun. Despite its turbulent past, Bratton Camp is now a relaxing place to take a stroll. The chalk grassland is teeming with wildlife and insects. Look out for the rare Adonis Blue butterfly which can be found here. You can visit any time during daylight hours. Entrance is free.

Don’t forget to look around you. If you’re legs are up for it you can even ride up!

2 options to climb up here, both are challenging climbs but the reward is a great view over Trowbridge and Westbury. From Bratton it's steady until the final kick, from Westbury it's just hard all the way up with 3 kicks on the way there - brutal. Once at the top there are light gravel ride options flanking the firing range.