Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Westbury White Horse
Hob Uid: 207833
Location : Wiltshire Bratton
Grid Ref : ST8983851613
Summary : The Westbury White Horse was first documented in 1742. The original horse, according to a drawing published in 1772, faced south, but was destroyed in 1778 and replaced by the present one, facing north. The first horse was a crude figure, which was described as being a dachshund-like animal. It was incorporated into the body of the second figure. The horse, which is cut into a very steep slope immediately below the western defences of Bratton Camp (also known as Bratton Castle UID. 211829), an Iron Age hillfort, is naturalistic in form and has, since 1936, been redefined using concrete. The figure is now maintained by English Heritage.
More information : [ST 8984 5160] Westbury White Horse [TI] (1) The Westbury White Horse is first mentioned in 1742 when it was said to have been made in living memory. A drawing of it facing south published in 1772, has suggested that it might be of some antiquity but Marples suggests that the horse was an early 1700 construction. In 1778 the horse was destroyed and replaced by another, facing north, first illustrated in 1812. It was restored in 1853 and an 1872 silhouette shows a horse differing considerably from the present outline. In 1873 it was restored and edged with store blocks and further alterations made in 1903 and 1936. (2) The White Horse is correctly shown on O.S. 25". (3) The site is scheduled. (4) See these references for further information on the white horse. (5-6) A report on managing Bratton Camp and Westbury White Horse contains a brief description of the site as well as interesting information on how to manage public access. (7) See the Heritage Unlocked book for a description of the camp and the associated white horse. (8)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1951
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Source Number : 2
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Page(s) : 67-76
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Plates : 8,10-15,17
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 JP 21-MAR-67
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : 22-Jan-96
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Source Number : 5
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Source details :
Page(s) : 90-4
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Plates : 91,93
Vol(s) : 12

Source Number : 6
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Source details :
Page(s) : 54,55-61
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Plates : 50,51
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Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : Jan-44
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Source Number : 8
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Source details :
Page(s) : 66-67
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Cut c1700
Monument End Date : 1710
Monument Start Date : 1690
Monument Type : Hill Figure
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Destroyed Monument

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Constructed in 1778
Monument End Date : 1778
Monument Start Date : 1778
Monument Type : Hill Figure
Evidence : Modified Surface

Monument Period Name : Victorian
Display Date : Restored 1853
Monument End Date : 1853
Monument Start Date : 1853
Monument Type : Hill Figure
Evidence : Modified Surface

Monument Period Name : Victorian
Display Date : Restored 1873
Monument End Date : 1873
Monument Start Date : 1873
Monument Type : Hill Figure
Evidence : Modified Surface

Monument Period Name : Early 20th Century
Display Date : Altered 1903
Monument End Date : 1903
Monument Start Date : 1903
Monument Type : Hill Figure
Evidence : Modified Surface

Monument Period Name : Mid 20th Century
Display Date : Altered 1936
Monument End Date : 1936
Monument Start Date : 1936
Monument Type : Hill Figure
Evidence : Modified Surface

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 26708
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : WI 37
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : EH Property Number
External Cross Reference Number : 245
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR 15270/58
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR 21457/04
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Unified Designation System UID
External Cross Reference Number : 1013399
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 85 SE 20
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1967-03-21
End Date : 1967-03-21

Historic England Research Records

Westbury White Horse