허스트몽외‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪5‬개의 천연기념물

I can recommend visiting the Long Man of Wilmington (it isn't an ancient Fertility symbol more an artificial 17th century tourist attraction, more fool, the faux American witches I saw there several years ago). However I can't recommend leaving the Long Man pub down the road, at 7.30pm, in January, several days after it snowed and then several days of negative temperatures froze it in place, and then climb straight up past it. There is a path but we decided that would take far too long to divert to it. It was not surprisingly steep.

Keeping watch over the South Downs, The Long Man of Wilmington is one of Sussex’s most iconic features. At 72 metres, he’s the largest depiction of a human figure in Europe and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The Long Man of Wilmington cut into the chalk of the South Downs, has baffled archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years. Many people are convinced that he is prehistoric, whilst others believe that he is the work of an artistic monk from the nearby Priory created between the 11th and 15th centuries. There has been a lot of speculation as to his purpose. A fertility symbol? An Ancient warrior maybe? Early 18th century folly? An early representation of a Millwall fan?? No one knows? Visitors can view him from afar or walk across his form on the side of the Downs.

Originally thought to be from the Bronze Age, the 'old man' (sometimes called the Willmington Giant) is actually from around the 16th Century. No less impressive though as you ride by. Well worth a stop to take it in.

The 'Wilmington Yew' stands in the churchyard and is believed to be one of the oldest yew trees in Sussex, certainly older than the church itself, since it has recently been dated at around 1600 years old. Its gnarled double stem is a study for many painters and photographers and its girth near the ground is 23 feet.

The Wealdway traces the contours of Wilmington Hill to the Long Man of Wilmington. Gorgeous views all round especially towards Firle Beacon.

worth a detour

The great, almost 1600 years old tree!