White Horse Uffington, Oxfordshire
The White Horse at Uffington in Oxfordshire is a 374 foot long chalk figure carved into the hillside. Mystery surrounds the horse as to when it was created and why?
Until recently it was thought to have been created in the Iron Age as its shape is similar to those found of coins from the same era. However, new soil testing methods on the base of the trench show that the horse could be 3000 years old placing it in the late Bronze Age.
The mystery of why the horse was created still remains. It can only be seen fully from the air, so perhaps it was a sign to the ancient gods, or a mark of territorial ownership.
The horse is only part of the unique complex of ancient remains that are found at White Horse Hill. Uffington Castle is an ancient Iron Age hillfort and stands on the highest point in Oxfordshire. Between the castle and the Horse lie a number of burial mounds, the most obvious being the Pillow Mound. These date from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages and are unusual in that they were reused for Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon burials.
This site is free to visit but be aware that there are no facilities. It can also get quite windy on the top of White Horse Hill.
Opening Times
Open 24 hours a day
Ticket Prices
Free
Hotels & Accommodation
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Days Inn Membury
Welcome Break Service Area J14, Baydon, RG17 7TZ Distance: 6.7 miles |
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Nightingale Hotel
Old Vicarge Lane South Marston, Swindon, SN3 4SH Distance: 6.7 miles |
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Holiday Inn Swindon
Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6AQ Distance: 7.9 miles |
Location Map
Oxfordshire
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