Cherhill White Horse

The Cherhill White Horse is a hill figure on Cherhill Down, 3.5 miles east of Calne in Wiltshire, England. It is the second oldest of the eight remaining White Horses in Wiltshire, and was cut in 1780. The horse is 165 feet (50 m) long and 220 feet (67 m) high, and is made by removing the turf from the hillside to expose the underlying chalk.

The Cherhill White Horse was created by Dr Christopher Alsop, a local doctor and amateur archaeologist. Alsop was inspired by the Westbury White Horse, which had been cut in 1778. He wanted to create a similar figure on Cherhill Down, which is a prominent hill with good views of the surrounding countryside.

Alsop recruited a team of volunteers to help him create the horse. The work took several months to complete, and involved removing over 160 tonnes of turf from the hillside. The horse was originally filled with white chalk, but this was later replaced by crushed limestone, which is more durable.

The Cherhill White Horse is a popular tourist destination, and can be seen from miles away. It is also a popular spot for walkers and hikers, as there are several footpaths that lead to the horse.

In addition to its cultural and historical significance, the Cherhill White Horse is also an important ecological site. The chalk grassland on Cherhill Down is home to a variety of rare and endangered plants and animals, including the Adonis blue butterfly and the Chalk Hill Blue butterfly.

The Cherhill White Horse is maintained by a group of volunteers, who weed and re-chalk the figure every couple of years. This work is essential to ensure that the horse remains visible and in good condition for future generations.

Address: Cherhill White Horse, Cherhill Down, Cherhill, Wiltshire

Location: On the northern slope of Cherhill Down, beneath Oldbury Castle hillfort. Access by footpath from the A4 at the eastern edge of Cherhill village.

Telephone: 01672539920

Email: Send email

Website: Calstone and Cherhill Downs

Directions from A4 (Avebury): Cherhill White Horse is just 4.0 miles from Avebury. From Avebury, head west on Herepath or Green Street towards A4361. Continue onto Green Street/A4361. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto A4 for 2.7 miles. Cherhill White Horse is visible from the road. There are several lay-bys on the A4, on both sides of the road. There is a signposted trail with information panels on the south side of the road just at the village boundary. From there just follow the well-defined footpath directly up the hillside.

Accessibility: Paths are unsurfaced, rutted and uneven, can be muddy and slippery after rain. Very steep path by the white horse. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing to suit weather conditions.