Cherhill White Horse

Cherhill White Horse is a chalk-cut hill figure on Cherhill Down in Wiltshire, England. It lies just outside the village of Cherhill, about 5.6 kilometres east of Calne. The figure faces north-east on a steep slope below Oldbury Castle, an ancient earthwork. It is one of the oldest hill figures of its type in Great Britain, dating from the late 18th century. The site is visible from the A4 road and from Cherhill village. A lay-by on the westbound carriageway provides a viewpoint, and a public footpath leads up to the figure. The horse may have been inspired by the nearby Westbury White Horse, remodelled shortly before. Its origins are uncertain, with theories linking it to Alfred the Great’s victory in 878 or to loyalty to the House of Hanover. The figure was first cut in 1780 by Dr Christopher Alsop, who directed the work using a megaphone. It has been maintained regularly, with major restorations in 1935, 1994, 2002, and 2026. The current design includes a stone and concrete eye, raised slightly above the chalk surface. Visitors reach the site via a footpath from the A4 lay-by. The figure itself measures about 50 metres by 67 metres and stands below the Lansdowne Monument, a tall obelisk visible from a distance. The land above the figure is owned by the National Trust. Thirteen white horses once existed in Wiltshire, and eight remain visible today. The surrounding downland offers wide views across the countryside.