Why is the white horse in Westbury?

In 1957 the horse was concreted over and painted white by Westbury Urban District Council, in an attempt to save on long-term maintenance costs, as the chalk of the face was eroding and unstable, due to the steepness of the slope.

Where are the chalk horses in England?

The large band of chalk bedrock across southern Britain offers the perfect terrain for creating such white horses and other creatures. Most roam the hills of Sussex, Wiltshire, and Dorset, with a few outside the main corral farther north.

How many chalk horses are there in England?

There are 16 known white horse hill figures in the UK, or 17 including the painted one at Cleadon Hills….Current figures.

Who made Westbury white horse?

As for Westbury’s horse, the first written records suggest that the horse was carved from the chalk slope of Bratton Hill in the late 17th century. It is thought to commemorate King Alfred the Great’s victory over the Danes at Ethandun (The Battle of Edington), which took place near Bratton Camp in 878AD.

How old is the White Horse in Westbury?

The White Horse is a famous landmark that was probably cut into the chalk about 400 years ago, but its appearance has changed over time. The earthworks protected a settlement, containing round houses, granaries, stores and workshops.

When was Westbury White Horse made?

Resting near an ancient historic fort, the Westbury White Horse was created over 300 years ago, but no one is quite sure why or by whom. The current white horse built into the Bratton hillside was etched in 1778 but something has existed on the hill for over 3,000 years.

Is the White Horse in Robin Hood real?

The Kilburn White Horse was created in November 1857, and some accounts state that it was done by school master John Hodgson and his pupils, together with local volunteers. It did not exist during the period of the film.

When was the Westbury White Horse made?

Which is the oldest White Horse?

Uffington
Uffington ‘Castle’, which occupies the summit of Whitehorse Hill, is a rare and outstanding example of a large Iron Age hillfort. The famous White Horse is the oldest chalk-cut hill figure in Britain, perhaps over 3,000 years old.

How old is the White Horse at Kilburn?

It was created in November 1857, and some accounts state that it was done by school master John Hodgson and his pupils, together with local volunteers. A tablet erected at the car park below it reads, “The Kilburn ‘White Horse’ — This figure was cut in 1857 on the initiative of Thomas Taylor, a native of Kilburn.

Where is the Chalky Chalk Horse in Wiltshire?

This is the Westbury White Horse, and it is interestingly not a unique figure in the United Kingdom. The horse, in profile, has been carved into the white chalky escarpment of Salisbury Plain, about 1.5 miles east of the town of Westbury. It is one of the oldest of several white horses in Wiltshire and lies near an Iron Age hill fort.

Where is the Westbury White Horse in Wiltshire?

Westbury White Horse. The Westbury or Bratton White Horse is a hill figure on the escarpment of Salisbury Plain, approximately 1.5 mi (2.4 km) east of Westbury in Wiltshire, England. Located on the edge of Bratton Downs and lying just below an Iron Age hill fort, it is the oldest of several white horses carved in Wiltshire.

Where is the oldest White Horse in England?

The Westbury White Horse, sometimes known as the Bratton White Horse, is on the escarpment of Salisbury Plain, just over a mile east of Westbury. It is situated just below an Iron Age hill fort and is the oldest of several white horses carved in Wiltshire.

When was the chalk horse in Uffington made?

The Uffington White Horse is another chalk figure, but it dates from a much earlier period. It is believed to have been carved into the hillside near the town of Uffington, in Oxfordshire, sometime during the late Bronze Age, between 1380 B.C. and 550 B.C.