.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
We spoke to Win Scutt from English Heritage about the fascinating White Horse at Westbury, what we know of the history of the site - and how easy it is to visit. Watch the video above to find out what he had to say!
"The Westbury White Horse is a key landmark on the Great West Way - and easy to get to, especially if you go by rail. Just there is the main railway line from London, get off at Westbury Station and its half an hour to an hour's lovely walk. Or, if you're driving, it's quite easy to park. There's a big public open space up here, with car parking. It's a wonderful spot.
"When you're here, you don't just want to look at the great white horse. You also want to look at Bratton Camp, the iron age hillfort at the top - one of the best in the country.
"The White Horse was probably carved in the late 1600s by the local people. It was carved through the turf down to the white chalk, to expose it. We think it was probably put there to commemorate the battle of Ethandun which happended way back in 878 AD. King Alfred the Great fought the great heathen army of the Danes under King Guthrum. And he defeated them on this site described as Ethandun - well, Edington is quite near here, so they thought that the battle probably took place at Bratton Camp.
"The site is also a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). There are woodlands as you go down the slope, and fantastic chalk grasslands with all sorts of rare species - it's just a fantastic place to visit."
Find out more about the history and heritage of the Great West Way, and start planning your adventure along the route today.
