Our walk to the white horse took us across near treeless downs, a real change from the
narrow lanes, hedgerow-bounded fields, and woodlands we had been seeing for most of
our trip.
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Our walk to the white horse took us across near
treeless downs, a real change from the narrow
lanes, hedgerow-bounded fields, and woodlands
we had been seeing for most of our trip.
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The sheep were photogenic and posed obligingly,
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but this poser was just too sexy for her wool.
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The Wansdyke, a 35 mile (56 km) ditch and earthworks, may have been built by native
Romano-Britons in the 5th or 6th century to defend against encroaching Anglo-Saxons.
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The Wansdyke, a 35 mile (56 km) ditch and
earthworks, may have been built by native
Romano-Britons in the 5th or 6th century to
defend against encroaching Anglo-Saxons.
Click image to enlarge
Barbed wire rather than hedgerows enclosed the pasture, and spotting us, these young
fellows came over to inspect us.
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Barbed wire rather than hedgerows enclosed the
pasture, and spotting us, these young fellows
came over to inspect us.
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The more popular public footpaths
are very well marked, the actual
footpath so well trodden as to be
obvious,
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The more popular public footpaths are very well
marked, the actual footpath so well trodden as to be
obvious,
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and stiles or gates facilitate crossing the fence lines.
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and stiles or gates facilitate crossing the fence
lines.
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We came across some paragliders hoping for stronger winds. This fellow managed only
about 100 meters before touching down and having to climb back to his launch point.
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We came across some paragliders hoping for
stronger winds. This fellow managed only about
100 meters before touching down and having to
climb back to his launch point.
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Not just great walking terrain, public bridal paths make it popular with the equestrian crowd.
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Not just great walking terrain, public bridal paths
make it popular with the equestrian crowd.
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A few gnarled trees occupied the hilltop, punctuating the open rolling downs.
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A few gnarled trees occupied the hilltop,
punctuating the open rolling downs.
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The white horse came into view, whetting our appetite for a closer look,
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The white horse came into view, whetting our
appetite for a closer look,
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but up close and personal, the horse’s ears were underwhelming. Unexpectedly, they were
surfaced with chalk rather than dug to expose the underlying chalk.
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but up close and personal, the horse’s ears were
underwhelming. Unexpectedly, they were
surfaced with chalk rather than dug to expose
the underlying chalk.
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Daisies and cowslips added colour to the lush, green pastures
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Daisies and cowslips added colour to the lush,
green pastures
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provided a vantage point to see lesser barrows, the borrow pits used to construct the
barrows,
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provided a vantage point to see lesser barrows,
the borrow pits used to construct the barrows,
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and lovely views of Alton Prior and Alton Barnes below.
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and lovely views of Alton Prior and Alton Barnes
below.
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with a fine view of the white horse from its common.
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Sitting in the middle of the common and accessible only by foot, All Saints Church has been
declared redundant by the Church and services are now held only three times a year.
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Sitting in the middle of the common and
accessible only by foot, All Saints Church has
been declared redundant by the Church and
services are now held only three times a year.
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Built in the 12th century, all that remains of the original church is the the chancel arch, the
rest of the church dates from medieval times.
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Built in the 12th century, all that remains of the
original church is the the chancel arch, the rest of
the church dates from medieval times.
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The brass memorial plaque appears to
date from the 1500s.
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The brass
memorial plaque
appears to date
from the 1500s.
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Feeling that our walk had earned us a pint and a meal, we stopped at the Seven Stars Inn.
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Feeling that our walk had earned us a pint and a
meal, we stopped at the Seven Stars Inn.
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The pints were good, but something did not look right. The publican admitted that the bar had
been renovated a few years ago and that the woodwork was actually plastic and the brick work
only a facing.
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The pints were good, but something did not look
right. The publican admitted that the bar had been
renovated a few years ago and that the woodwork
was actually plastic and the brick work only a facing.
Click image to enlarge