Whitehorse Hill

Whitehorse Hill rises above the Berkshire Downs in Oxfordshire, west of Wantage. It is the highest point in the county at 261 metres. On its summit stands Uffington Castle, an ancient hillfort. The Uffington White Horse, a prehistoric chalk figure, lies on the northern slope. Nearby features include Dragon Hill and The Manger, a dry valley below the hill. The site is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest covering 98.9 hectares. The Manger is a Geological Conservation Review site showing evidence of solifluction from the Pleistocene. The hill supports unimproved chalk grassland rich in wildflowers. Former chalk quarries add variety to the flora, with grasses such as upright brome and sheep’s fescue. Visitors follow the Ridgeway National Trail which crosses the hill south of Uffington Castle. The trail offers wide views across the downs. Dragon Hill, a small flat-topped mound, is said to be where St George slew the dragon. The Uffington White Horse remains a striking landmark against the green slopes. The combination of ancient earthworks and natural landscape makes the hill a place of quiet interest.