13 Activities
All the White Horses
Starts from
Devizes
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
13
Duration
12 hours
Length
120 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Devizes
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
120 mi
Detour Road Trips
Brand
- See all nine wonderful white horses.
- Enjoy locally sourced pub grub.
- Drive through rolling hills and quiet country roads.
One overlooks the Great West Road, high above the glorious old A4 from London to Bath – a giant figure carved into the sides of an ancient hill fort looking down on an appealingly wide and largely empty trunk road.
Another looks north, its 3,000-year-old design like a giant cave painting on the crest of a grassy slope, a pretty winding country road far below.
One peeps between trees on the edge of a public school’s sports field, another forms a gigantic landmark at the battlefield where historians say England was born.
Yet another one is dainty, in a field where horses often graze. Nearby, one stands proudly upright, marking the steep slopes of Wiltshire’s highest point.
The nine Wessex White Horses are a bunch of mysterious giant figures cut into chalky hillsides across the sweeping landscapes of the North Wiltshire Downs between Salisbury and Swindon. View them all on this delightful one-day drive across Wessex.
Another looks north, its 3,000-year-old design like a giant cave painting on the crest of a grassy slope, a pretty winding country road far below.
One peeps between trees on the edge of a public school’s sports field, another forms a gigantic landmark at the battlefield where historians say England was born.
Yet another one is dainty, in a field where horses often graze. Nearby, one stands proudly upright, marking the steep slopes of Wiltshire’s highest point.
The nine Wessex White Horses are a bunch of mysterious giant figures cut into chalky hillsides across the sweeping landscapes of the North Wiltshire Downs between Salisbury and Swindon. View them all on this delightful one-day drive across Wessex.
Categories
One overlooks the Great West Road, high above the glorious old A4 from London to Bath – a giant figure carved into the sides of an ancient hill fort looking down on an appealingly wide and largely empty trunk road.
Another looks north, its 3,000-year-old design like a giant cave painting on the crest of a grassy slope, a pretty winding country road far below.
One peeps between trees on the edge of a public school’s sports field, another forms a gigantic landmark at the battlefield where historians say England was born.
Yet another one is dainty, in a field where horses often graze. Nearby, one stands proudly upright, marking the steep slopes of Wiltshire’s highest point.
The nine Wessex White Horses are a bunch of mysterious giant figures cut into chalky hillsides across the sweeping landscapes of the North Wiltshire Downs between Salisbury and Swindon. View them all on this delightful one-day drive across Wessex.
Another looks north, its 3,000-year-old design like a giant cave painting on the crest of a grassy slope, a pretty winding country road far below.
One peeps between trees on the edge of a public school’s sports field, another forms a gigantic landmark at the battlefield where historians say England was born.
Yet another one is dainty, in a field where horses often graze. Nearby, one stands proudly upright, marking the steep slopes of Wiltshire’s highest point.
The nine Wessex White Horses are a bunch of mysterious giant figures cut into chalky hillsides across the sweeping landscapes of the North Wiltshire Downs between Salisbury and Swindon. View them all on this delightful one-day drive across Wessex.
Detour Road Trips
Brand
- See all nine wonderful white horses.
- Enjoy locally sourced pub grub.
- Drive through rolling hills and quiet country roads.
Day Itinerary
13 Activities
Day 1
120 mi1 mi
The White Horses of Wessex
This one-day gallop will take you to all nine of the white horses in Wessex and take you on a ride through history from over 3,000 years ago to the dawn of the new millennium.
The roads are mostly gorgeous, quiet, decent-sized country roads sweeping over wide-open downland and through unspoilt leafy valleys and fun to drive whether you're horsing around in a convertible or a family wagon.
The roads are mostly gorgeous, quiet, decent-sized country roads sweeping over wide-open downland and through unspoilt leafy valleys and fun to drive whether you're horsing around in a convertible or a family wagon.
09:0030 min
Roundway White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
Roundway's might be the newest white horse, carved by 200 locals on Crown Estate land in 1999, but it’s lovely, a classic shape cut from a grassy hillside high above the town that’s easy to drive to and park. The views are huge enough to make you sit down and stare.
There’s plenty to think about while you’re there: the hill is the site of the Civil War Battle of Roundway where Cavalier cavalry defeated a larger force of Roundheads by driving them off the edge of this steep slope.
Oh, and the horse was designed by a local schoolboy and is now maintained by the town’s probation service.
There’s plenty to think about while you’re there: the hill is the site of the Civil War Battle of Roundway where Cavalier cavalry defeated a larger force of Roundheads by driving them off the edge of this steep slope.
Oh, and the horse was designed by a local schoolboy and is now maintained by the town’s probation service.
13.5 mi
30 min
10:0030 min
Bratton Camp & White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
Westbury's huge white horse is the oldest in the county, dating to 400 years back, and covers an area the size of half a football pitch on the steep slopes of Bratton Camp. This hill fort's history can be traced to Neolithic times when a long barrow was built upon its slopes
It’s spectacular, both from 10 miles away or right up close. Reach it by clambering across the ramparts on the spot where King Alfred’s first-ever united English army defeated the Great Danish Army in AD 878.
It’s spectacular, both from 10 miles away or right up close. Reach it by clambering across the ramparts on the spot where King Alfred’s first-ever united English army defeated the Great Danish Army in AD 878.
21.1 mi
40 min
11:1530 min
Pewsey White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
The Pewsey White Horse was cut into the chalk in 1937, replacing an earlier one that disappeared into the hill. It was the first new horse of the 20th century and now sits on a National Nature Reserve full of rare orchids high above the small market town of Pewsey.
7.1 mi
15 min
12:0030 min
The Alton Barnes White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
You'll cross over the Kennet and Avon Canal to reach Milk Hill, the highest point in Wiltshire and home to a horse carved into the hillside in 1812.
It's said to be viewable for 22 miles on a clear day, thanks in part to a delivery of 150 tons of bright white chalk sent in by helicopter in 2010.
It's said to be viewable for 22 miles on a clear day, thanks in part to a delivery of 150 tons of bright white chalk sent in by helicopter in 2010.
6.5 mi
15 min
12:455 min
St George Church
Church
Open Details
Although there is believed to have been a church on this site since before 1066, the Anglican St George's at Preshute is a more recent addition, built in 1854. It's a good place to park up and take the short walk to see the Marlborough White Horse.
Just follow the signs for the tennis courts and won't go wrong.
Just follow the signs for the tennis courts and won't go wrong.
0.4 mi
10 min
13:0030 min
Marlborough White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
Marlborough's white horse was designed in1804 and believed to have been crafted to celebrate 600 years since the town was granted its charter.
Its location in the playing fields of the posh Marlborough College led to it being mentioned in the school song.
"Ah, then we'll cry, thank God, my lads, the Kennett's running still, and see, the old White Horse still pads up there on Granham Hill."
Its location in the playing fields of the posh Marlborough College led to it being mentioned in the school song.
"Ah, then we'll cry, thank God, my lads, the Kennett's running still, and see, the old White Horse still pads up there on Granham Hill."
4.2 mi
10 min
13:451 hr
The Burj at The Bell (West Overton)
Fast Food Restaurant
Open Details
By now, you're probably hungry enough to eat a horse. Stop by The Bell gastropub and enjoy the beer garden while you get your feed for the next leg of the trip.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday: closed
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday: closed
20.3 mi
40 min
15:255 min
White Horse Hill Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Find a spot and don't forget to pay and display before taking the short walk across the fields to see the Uffington white horse up close.
0.7 mi
15 min
15:4530 min
White Horse Hill
Park
Open Details
The mysterious Bronze Age horse depiction at Uffington is an image so strong its uses range from the logo of the local council to the cover of albums by XTC and Nirvana.
It's part of the remains of an ancient hill fort and burial ground which is well worth exploring.
You will have to pay and display in the car park to have a good look around.
It's part of the remains of an ancient hill fort and burial ground which is well worth exploring.
You will have to pay and display in the car park to have a good look around.
18.4 mi
40 min
17:0030 min
Hackpen White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
To mark the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838 the Parish Clerk of Broad Hinton arranged for this horse to be cut into the hill above Hackpen. Unfortunately, the Hanoverian White Horse that served as the model was removed from Victoria's coat of arms when she took the throne.
9.6 mi
15 min
17:4530 min
Cherhill White Horse
Landmark
Open Details
Believed to have been inspired by the horse at Bratton Hill, Cherhill's follow-up was created in 1780. Its instigator was "mad doctor" Alsop of Calne, who reportedly shouted his instructions over a megaphone from the main road – so that's the best place to see it from.
It was restored in 2002 so looks almost as good as new.
It was restored in 2002 so looks almost as good as new.
9.6 mi
20 min
18:4530 min
Broad Town White Horse
Open Details
On a hill just east of Broad Town sits the most elusive of all the white horses. Carved in 1864 despite being 26 metres tall, its relatively secluded location meant it was lost for decades before being restored in 1991.
This one is easiest viewed from the road as parking can be tricky and the path up to the horse can be boggy and tricky to navigate.
This one is easiest viewed from the road as parking can be tricky and the path up to the horse can be boggy and tricky to navigate.
10.6 mi
20 min
19:451 hr 30 min
The Black Horse at Cherhill
Bar
Open Details
After all the white horses end your trip with a visit to the Black Horse. This 18th Century coaching inn was once the hideout for the infamous Cherhill Gang of highwaymen.
Today it serves local ciders and cask ales alongside an extensive menu, with Sunday roasts of Wiltshire beef, pork or turkey a speciality.
The pub's kitchen is open for lunch and dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends from 12:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Today it serves local ciders and cask ales alongside an extensive menu, with Sunday roasts of Wiltshire beef, pork or turkey a speciality.
The pub's kitchen is open for lunch and dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends from 12:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.