Litlington White Horse
Second Litlington White Horse, cut in 1924 | |
Litlington White Horse Litlington White Horse in East Sussex | |
| Location | Hindover Hill, Litlington, East Sussex, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°47′17″N 0°08′31″E / 50.788106°N 0.142031°E |
| Designer | James Pagden (first horse), John T. Ade (second horse) |
| Type | Hill figure |
| Material | Chalk |
| Length | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Height | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Beginning date | 1838 (first horse), 1923 (second horse) |
| Completion date | 1838 (first horse), 20 February 1924 (second horse) |
| Dedicated date | 1838 commemoration of Queen Victoria's coronation (first horse) |
| Restored date | 1924 (re-cutting), 1949, 1980s, 1991–present (ongoing maintenance) |
| Website | Litlington White Horse |
| Ownership | National Trust |
The Litlington White Horse is a chalk hill figure depicting a prancing horse, located on the western slope of Hindover Hill (locally known as High-and-Over) in the South Downs of East Sussex, England. Situated near the villages of Litlington and Alfriston, it overlooks the River Cuckmere and is one of only two surviving hill figures in the county, alongside the Long Man of Wilmington. It is one of only a few prominent English chalk horses located outside Wiltshire.
The present figure was cut in February 1924 by local farmer John T. Ade and two companions over the course of a single night. Measuring approximately 28 m (92 ft) in length and 20 m (66 ft) in height, the horse is notable for its dynamic prancing posture, a design choice adopted during 1980s conservation work to prevent erosion on the steep 45-degree slope. Since 1991, the site has been owned and maintained by the National Trust, which conducts regular scouring to preserve the figure's visibility against the encroaching turf.
The 1924 horse replaced an earlier figure on the same hillside, believed to have been cut in 1838 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria. The original horse, which featured a more traditional standing pose, fell into neglect and was largely overgrown by the early 20th century. In addition to the white horse, Hindover Hill is the subject of local folklore concerning several lost chalk figures, including a "Giant" or "Lady" often compared to the Long Man of Wilmington, and a large white cross. Today, the horse remains a prominent cultural landmark, appearing in local art, literature, and even as the solution to the 1980s real-world treasure hunt game Pimania.