Wiltshire White Horse
Query #19 - Wiltshire White Horse
08/07/1933
Can any reader offer information as to the number of White Horses there are in Wiltshire, and do they all date from the same period? —Newcomer, Westbury.
Replies
15/07/1933
The chief white horses of Wiltshire are those at Bratton Down, Westbury; Oldbury Castle, Cherhill; and All Cannings, near Devizes. The best known is the Westbury horse, but as this was entirely re-cut in 1778 it cannot be considered as ancient. The old horse which it replaced was probably of very early origin, like the famous Uffington animal. There was quite fashion for cutting chalk horses on the Wiltshire Downs in the late 18th century, and the smaller specimens made at this time have long since disappeared. The All Cannings' horse dates from 1812, while that at Cherhill is comparatively modern, having been cut as recently as 1870 by Dr. Alsop of Calne.—W. C, Calne.
22/07/1933 There is a booklet on "White Horses." I believe it is published by the G.W.R., and gives an account of the White Horses of the South of England.—A.T.W., Monkton Combe.