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Litlington White Horse

Also referred to as Cuckmere White Horse

Litlington,  Sussex

Featured Location Guide

Litlington White Horse, Sussex (new)

Located on 'high and over hill', or Hindover Hill, overlooking the Cuckmere valley facing east, this horse was cut about a 100yards to the south east of an earlier one.

Photo by Stuart and Fiona Jackson

A sturdy horse in a standing position, similar to the Westbury horse, it is said to have been cut in one night in February 1924 by John T Ade, son of one of the first horse's creator William Adeit. Given the number of people and time taken to create others this does not seem credible.  Another around says it was cut around 1924 or 1925.

When repaired after being camouflaged during WWII only one of the horses front legs was put back. This was put back on 09/06/1949 along with other restoration to make the horse look as originally cut. This has now been further altered, one of the forelegs raised to give greater definition in 1983. The horse was restored in the early 1980s and in 1993. It is currently said to be cared for by the National Trust, but is not listed on their main website except for a little on the history see below  under old horse.

A lot of wooden boards are used to keep the chalk in place. The legs are not particularly well defined and there are rabbit burrows undermining parts of it. The horse is 93' long and 65' high. The area is fenced to prevent damage by livestock and the general public.

Litlington White Horse, Sussex (old)

The earlier horse was said to have been cut around 1838. It is thought that it could have been to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria. It was lost around the time the new Litlington horse was cut, about a hundred yards to the south east. We don't know if  it had already disappeared and the new horse was a replacement for it, or gone out of shape and it was easier to start again with a fresh site.

In another account on the National Trust website:- "The first horse was created one night in 1836 by the son of the tenant farmer at Frog Firle Farm along with his brothers and cousin. Since its mysterious arrival on the downs, many stories have been told about what it represents. Restoration work first took place on the White Horse after the war in 1945 and the figure took on its present form in 1983 when the front leg was altered to combat erosion. The National Trust restored the figure in 1993 and 1998 by reinforcing the outline with timber revetment and by adding chalk. The White Horse underwent further restoration work in 2003."

There is a high and over trail, above the white horse see PDF file, this says the horse is best viewed from across the valley. At only 75 metres its more a picnic and view point than a trail. This has a number of viewpoints.

See Larger Image left

By
Robin Webster

Right over WH head

By
Chris Gunns

See Larger Image

See Larger Image Click on image to see larger version, on CC symbol to find out more on picture


Further information Grid

 

Location:

Litlington White Horse, West Sussex

Ceremonial County: Sussex

Grid Reference:

TQ510009

Map Link:

Ordnance survey TQ510009

Aerial photo:

Google Aerial Photo

Route(s):

 

Best Times to Visit:

When light is reflecting from horse, probably mornings.

E-mail:

 

Website:

 

Other useful websites:

www.hows.org.uk/personal/hillfigs/littling/littlin.htm

Nearby Locations:  
Other Relevant pages:

Introduction to hillside figures

How to photograph hillside figures

Listing of hillside figures

 

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Planning Grid

Location:

Litlington White Horse, Sussex

Grid Reference:

TQ 510009

Getting there:

Turn off the A27, towards Seaford, go through Alfreston, and the trail car park is on the left a mile before Seaford.

Access:

There would appear to be a footpath down the hill  from the trail/viewpoint above.

Parking:

Free Parking in the trail above

Facilities:

Nearest facilities in Seaford or Alfreston

Things To Do, See and Photograph:

White horse, views

What to take:

 

Nature highlights:

Country location

Address:

 

Postcode:

 

Telephone:

 

Opening times:

 

Charges:

None

Photo Restrictions:

None

Other Restrictions: None
Special Needs Access: The trail above is designed to be suitable for everyone including wheelchairs etc. It is doubtful you would see the horse from here. The horse can be seen from road locations.
Special Needs Facilities: None
Children Facilities:  
Dogs Allowed: No known restrictions

Please let us know any other information that we can add to the Further information and Planning Grids or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you quote both the Page Ref and Topic or Section references from the Grid below. To print the planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.

Please submit information on locations you discover so that this system continues to grow.

 


By: Keith Park Section: White Horse & Hillside Features Key:
Page Ref: litlington Topic: Hillside Last Updated: 01/2012

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