How old is the Huffington horse?

The famous White Horse is the oldest chalk-cut hill figure in Britain, perhaps over 3,000 years old.

What is the Uffington White Horse thought to represent?

The horse is thought to represent a tribal symbol perhaps connected with the builders of Uffington Castle. It is similar to horses depicted on Celtic coinage, the currency of the pre-Romano-British population, and on the Marlborough Bucket (an Iron Age burial bucket found in Marlborough, Wiltshire).

Why was the Uffington White Horse made?

We are not sure why they were created. The White Horse at Uffington may have had a ritual or religious purpose. Alternatively it could perhaps be a tribal totem marking a land boundary for members of the cult of the horse-goddess Epona, worshipped in ancient times by the Celts.

When was the White Horse built?

Sculpted into limestone hills north of Weymouth in 1808, the Osmington White Horse is a depiction of King George III riding his famous steed.

Why is it called Dragon Hill?

Local legend associates the horse with St George and the Dragon, hence the name of nearby Dragon Hill. This is a round mound, about 10 metres high with a flattened top, likely to have been formed by glacial erosion.

How do you see a white horse?

Visitors wanting to get nearer to the White Horse can park in a car park off the B3098 just east of Westbury for an excellent viewing point. Cherhill (1780) located east of Cherhill village beneath Oldbury Castle earthwork. The Horse can be seen well from the A4 and footpaths lead to around the site.

Where is the best view of the Uffington White Horse?

The best views of the horse without an aircraft are from 3 or 4 miles away, some suggest obtained from directly across the Vale, particularly around the villages of Great Coxwell, Longcot and Fernham, but these are too great a distance to photograph well. It can be seen in good weather for around 25 miles.

How many white horses are in Wiltshire?

thirteen white horses
Wiltshire in the south west of England is renowned for its rolling green hills. Here and there you will see patches of white chalk shining through and over the years around thirteen white horses have been carved out of the chalk. Out of that thirteen, only eight white chalk horses are still visible today.

Why does Wiltshire have white horses?

During the 18th century, the white horse was a heraldic symbol associated with the new British Royal Family, the House of Hanover, and it is argued by some scholars that the Westbury White Horse may have first been carved in the early 18th century as a symbol of loyalty to the new Protestant reigning house.

How old are the Wiltshire White horses?

Do you know about the White Horses of Wiltshire? See these iconic landmarks carved into our hillsides. Some of the Wiltshire White Horses date back 250 years and eight Wiltshire White Horses still remain on view today including: Westbury (1778) the oldest of the White Horses located on Westbury Hill, Bratton Down.

Who built the white horse?

Some suggested that it was created during the Anglo-Saxon era, either by King Alfred to celebrate his victory over the Danes in 871 or by Hengist, the first Saxon king, whose emblem was a white horse. Others more fancifully imagined that the figure had some connection to nearby Dragon Hill, representing either St.

Where is the best place to see the white horse?