Carved into the chalky hillside of Oxfordshire, England, the White Horse of Uffington is a striking and mysterious figure, stretching an impressive 360 feet across the landscape. This ancient figure, thought to be over 3,000 years old, likely dates back to the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age, making it one of Britain’s oldest and most iconic landmarks. With its abstract, almost minimalist design, the White Horse has captivated historians and locals alike for centuries, inspiring stories and theories about its origins.

The earliest written records referring to “White Horse Hill” date back to the 11th century, and medieval Welsh manuscripts, like the Red Book of Hergest, describe it as a "mountain with a figure of a stallion upon it… and it is white. Nothing grows upon it." While the purpose of the horse remains uncertain, some believe it may have served as a tribal symbol or territorial marker, while others suggest it held a religious significance for the ancient people who carved it.

During World War II, the White Horse was carefully camouflaged to prevent it from guiding German pilots on nighttime air raids, its bright chalk lines covered over with turf and materials to blend it with the hillside. Once the war ended, locals gathered to restore the figure, continuing a tradition of “scouring” the horse to keep its lines sharp and visible—a practice dating back to at least medieval times.

Today, the White Horse of Uffington stands as a testament to Britain’s ancient past, its bright figure still striking against the green hillside, preserving the stories, mysteries, and legacy of those who carved it so long ago.