Uffington's Galloping White Horse

High above the Oxfordshire countryside stands the chalk figure of a galloping horse. Shrouded in the mists of the past, this noted 856ft (261m) high landmark, 365ft (111m) long and 130ft (40m) tall, represents one of Britain's most famous antiquities.

The best time to see the horse is early on a summer's day or during the week in the middle of winter, when the crowds and the cars are scarce. It is then that the Uffington White Horse exudes its own peculiar air of mystery. Regarded as far and away the most beautiful of all the British chalk hill figures, the horse is formed from a chalk-filled trench and, contrary to popular belief, not etched into the natural chalk. Its design is stylised, with an elegant, slender body and a distinctive beaked jaw similar to those displayed on early Iron-Age coins. There have been countless theories over the years as to its age and exact purpose.

A medieval document records it as one of the wonders of Britain, along with Stonehenge, while some sources suggest it was cut some time during the 1st century ad. Others claim it was established to celebrate King Alfred's victory over the Danes at the Battle of Ashdown in ad 871. In more recent times, the age of the horse has been scientifically pinpointed by a series of archaeological digs and analysis of soil samples, indicating that it dates back almost 3,000 years, to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age.

The horse is not clearly appreciated other than from the air or from some distance away - which gives credence to the theory that the White Horse may have acted as a tribal banner or badge for the inhabitants of the Vale of White Horse below. What does it symbolise and why was this particular site chosen? There are no conclusive answers. Certainly the White Horse is closely associated with mythology. One legend claims that the figure is St George's steed and that the flat-topped chalk outcrop below, known as Dragon Hill, is where St George slew the beast. A bare patch on the summit is supposed to mark where the dragon's blood was spilt.

The Uffington White Horse has also attracted its fair share of literary figures. G K Chesterton (1874-1936), creator of the fictional detective-priest Father Brown, wrote about it in his Ballad of the White Horse, and Thomas Hughes (1822-96), who was born in Uffington, described the custom of scouring the horse, clearing it of grass and weeds, in The Scouring of the White Horse. It was Hughes who helped revive the tradition, which at one time attracted as many as 30,000 volunteers.

Where to eat and drink

The White Horse Inn at Woolstone is directly on the route of the walk and serves food. Alternatively, try the Blowing Stone at nearby Kingston Lisle which offers an extensive menu and a pleasant conservatory restaurant.

While you're there

Visit Wayland's Smithy, just off the route. This impressive 5,000-year-old long barrow occupies a remote, ghostly setting seemingly miles from civilisation. According to legend, Wayland's Smithy got its name from the Norse god, Wayland the Smith, who made shoes for the White Horse. Crowning Whitehorse Hill is Uffington Castle, an Iron-Age hill fort situated high on the Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road. The hill fort covers about 8 acres (3ha) and is enclosed by a rampart and a deep outer ditch.

What to look for

All Saints Church at Woolstone is a lovely chalk-built church. Inside you'll find a lead font and some striking 20th-century Stations of the Cross. During the Second World War, a German bomb blew out all the windows. Close by is the tiny village of Compton Beauchamp, with its Tudor and Georgian manor house (not open to the public).