Hackpen White Horse

The chalk figure sprawled across the hillside near Marlborough is impossible to miss once you know where to look. Hackpen White Horse, cut into the downs above the village of Broad Hinton, has been a landmark since 1838 - relatively young as far as Wiltshire's white horses go, but no less striking for it. From a distance it's a proper white scar on the green; up close on the slope itself, you're standing on the actual chalk that forms the creature's outline, with views stretching across the Marlborough downs.

It's best appreciated from the road below or from a walk along the nearby footpaths rather than up close. The figure itself is modest compared to some of Wiltshire's other white horses, and there's not much to do once you've found it besides take a photo and move on. History buffs will enjoy the 1830s backstory, and walkers using Ridgeway Campsite as a base can easily incorporate it into a longer route across the downs. Getting there means parking sensibly near Broad Hinton and walking up - about twenty minutes. The actual site is free, naturally, since it's just chalk on a hillside.

It's the kind of spot that rewards a detour if you're already in the area exploring the Wiltshire chalk figures or walking the ridgeway, but I wouldn't plan a trip around it alone. Best visited as part of a broader day exploring the downs, particularly if you're camping nearby. Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light on the chalk.