Crazy Horses! A Witchy Wednesday article.

Crazy horses, the chalk horses of Britain. 

Welcome back to Witchy Wednesday and to kick off October I thought it would be nice to have a reminisce about my childhood love of chalk horses. 

Since I was a kid I have always been fascinated with the giant chalk figures that dot the British Countryside. Often it was part of our holiday journey to try and spot them. My favourite being the Uffington Horse which is situated in Faringdon just off Dragon Hill.

Here is a virtual trip by Lets Explore UK. Though if you can I would very much recommend a visit as the area around the horse is very magical and beautiful. Those of you who remember Kate Bush's video 'Cloudbusting' might not know it was filmed on Dragon Hill. The video starred the late Donald Sutherland and was directed by Terry Gilliam. 

Two photos below from Google Maps. 

Uffington Horse location. 

Altitude: 261 m (856 ft)

Coordinates: 51°34′39″N 1°34′00″W / 51.57750°N 1.56667°W

Length: 100m (330ft)

Location: Whitehorse Hill, Oxfordshire, England

Kate Bush's video Cloudbusting filmed at Dragon Hill next to Uffington Horse. 

 

The Uffington White Horse is the oldest known chalk horse, dating back to the late Bronze Age. Credit: Getty

The Uffington White Horse. 

Other white horses including the Red Horse of Tyson which has sadly no longer visible. 

The Westbury White Horse, sometimes known as the Bratton White Horse, is on the escarpment of Salisbury Plain.

     

 The Folkstone White horse. 

This fabulous tea towel shows a map of the white chalk horses and their designs. 

The Red Horse of Tyson which has sadly no longer visible. 

Please visit these links for fabulous articles on various chalk horses in Britain including those that are buried away under the soil! 

https://www.hows.org.uk/personal/hillfigs/folk/folk.htm

https://ecoartsblog.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/the-chalk-horses-of-england/

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/white-chalk-horses-791313

https://www.hows.org.uk/personal/hillfigs/lost/tysoe/tysoe.htm

https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/the-red-horse-of-tysoe-or-the-nag-of-renown

http://www.whitedragon.org.uk/articles/redhorse.htm

https://artofthehorse.net/2016/01/30/chalk-horses-of-wiltshire-part-1/

🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

Please note I do not get paid to mention any links. The study of folklore and folk customs is a hobby of mine and when I find interesting information I like to share it here in my blog which is my electronic scrapbook. 

I am not a professional writer or an expert but I hope you enjoy my natterings and my blog inspires you to explore and learn more about folklore.  

Some website links listed may contain Adult material which may not be suitable for children so I would advise visiting them before showing or allowing access to younger viewers.

🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁