He was a...One of Two English chalk giants, the Long Man of Wilmington is only seen if you take a detour off the main road - and there it is! These figures, however, only play a relatively minor part in the book. Some argue that he represents an Anglo-Saxon war god, others a Roman standard bearer, while yet another legend tells that he represents the hero Beowulf. Several giants once walked the land of Sussex, they mostly lived on prominent hills from which they threw various objects and no doubt made a nuisance of themselves. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Countryfile.com Listen to the latest episodes from our country podcast The walk was ok in trainers but wet in places so boots would be better. BRITISH WILDLIFE
If arriving by car, there is a car park near the Priory.
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There is a pub for refreshments at the bottom of the hill in Wilmington.This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of
The giant chalk figure was gifted to the National Trust in 1920 by the Pitt-Rivers family. But how exactly did he get there?The Long Man of Wilmington is an imposing and decidedly enigmatic chalk figure on the South Downs – at 235 feet high, the tallest chalk figure in the UK.There are various theories on his origins.
Worth a look if you are in the neighborhood though.We took a break near here during Christmas 2014 with our children and decided to climb the hill to see the view.
There is a fine pub in Wilmington, The Giant’s Rest, and at the southern edge of the village you pass the ruins of Wilmington Priory, founded in the 12th century. Some suggest that he dates from Anglo-Saxon times, or earlier; others that his form was marked out by a Benedictine monk.
More colourfully, legend tells that he was a giant, killed when another giant threw a rock at him from a nearby hill.From the junction of the A27 and Thornwell Road, turn left and follow the narrow lane south into Wilmington village. The village of Alfriston is clearly visible ahead, nestled on a bend in the River Cuckmere.As you head down towards Alfriston cast your eyes north-west towards Firle Beacon. From the junction of the A27 and Thornwell Road, turn left and follow the narrow lane south into Wilmington village. Sign up to receive our newsletter! Further along, you pass a disused chalk pit on your right.Descend to the road – an ancient thoroughfare known as The Street. The South Downs are a range of rolling chalk hills across southern England from Hampshire to East Sussex. The Chalk also extends underground beneath London, the North Sea and the Channel. To prevent damage by soil erosion, you should not climb the slope surrounding the Long Man or walk on the figure itself.Continue along the path as it curves round to the right below the Long Man, parallel to the road and following the contour of Windover Hill. TV SHOW
Turn left onto this and then shortly afterwards take a footpath on the right, which descends diagonally over a field.
The title "The Chalk Giants" refers to the huge carvings, often of human figures or horses, which are to be found on the chalk downlands of England; perhaps the best known are the Long Man of Wilmington in Sussex and the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences If you don't have a car, take the train to Polegate and take a taxi here. Local folklore tells that Windover Hill is haunted by ghostly black dogs, beasts of evil omen which possibly originate in Saxon mythology.
These figures, however, only play a relatively minor part in the book. Take the bus back to either Wilmington village or Polegate.Some road walking, together with easy, mostly level footpaths.By car: Wilmington village is just off the A27, some 2½ miles west of Polegate and 10 miles southeast of Lewes. Such a strange and thought-provoking neolithic monument...We visited on a wild and grey day, taking an amble from the car park, close to The Man. Our best wishes for a productive day. MAGAZINE It has been suggested that monks from the Priory were responsible for marking out the Long Man, some time between the 12th and the 15th centuries.At the signed footpath, turn left off the road, with a clear view of the Long Man over ploughed fields ahead of you. Already have an account with us? Giant’s Rest. We walked from Wilmington across the top of the Downs. If arriving by car, there is a car park near the Priory. The Long Man of Wilmington: Giant ChalkGiants - an English oddity - See 75 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Wilmington, UK, at Tripadvisor. Thanks!