Broad Town White Horse

Coordinates: 51°30′12″N 1°51′33″W / 51.5033°N 1.8592°W / 51.5033; -1.8592

Broad Town White Horse in 2008

The horse from Broad Town churchyard in 2008

The Broad Town White Horse is a hill figure of a horse located in the village of Broad Town, Wiltshire, England. It is believed to have been cut in 1864 and is one of eight hill figures in Wiltshire of a white horse.

The horse faces west on a long grass-covered steep slope (450 feet above sea level) above Littletown nursey farmhouse just outside Broad Town. The horse is 80 by 60 feet (24 by 18 m) in size, composed of fine compacted chalk, with well defined edges. According to Rev. Plenderleath, writing in 1885, it was cut in 1864 by a William Simmonds, who held the farm then. Simmonds claimed later that it had been his intention to enlarge the horse gradually over the years, but he had to give up the farm and so did not have the opportunity.^[1]

Since 1992 the horse has been maintained by Broad Town villagers.^[2]

The horse can be seen well from the B4041 and from the centre of Broad Town itself. One approachable view is from the farm track which leads from Chapel Lane to Littletown farmhouse. The footpath leading from this track allows the horse to be approached; the steps up to the horse are somewhat dangerous and it is advised that they are not used. The Restoration Society asks "Would visitors not climb the steps below the Horse as they are dangerous and are only to be used when the Horse is being maintained. The land is private and no responsibility for any accident can be accepted."

References