Osmington White Horse facts for kids
The Osmington White Horse is a huge picture carved into a hillside in Dorset, England. It's called a hill figure. This amazing artwork was made in 1808. You can find it on Osmington Hill, near the town of Weymouth.
The figure shows King George III riding his horse. He was a king who loved visiting Weymouth. He helped make Weymouth a very popular holiday spot. The horse is very big, about 280 feet (85 m) long and 323 feet (98 m) high. You can see it clearly from far away, especially from the A353 road.
What is a Hill Figure?
A hill figure is a giant picture or shape made on the side of a hill. People create them by removing grass to show the lighter rock underneath. The Osmington White Horse is carved into limestone. This type of rock is naturally white.
Why Was the Horse Made?
The Osmington White Horse was created to honor King George III. He often visited Weymouth for his holidays. He enjoyed the sea air and the town. The people of Dorset wanted to show their respect for him. Carving his image into the hill was a grand gesture.
Keeping the Horse Looking Good
Over the years, the Osmington White Horse has needed some care. Grass grows back, and the shape can become less clear.
Past Restorations
In 1989, the horse was cleaned up for a TV show called Challenge Anneka. Some people later felt the work wasn't done perfectly. However, the show's presenter, Anneka Rice, said they had asked for advice before starting.
The 2012 Makeover
A big restoration happened in 2012. This was just before the Olympic Games were held in London. The goal was to make the horse look just like it did when it was first carved in 1808.
Many volunteers worked for two years to fix the horse. They cleaned it and carefully reshaped parts of it. On March 11, 2012, Princess Anne visited to celebrate the completion. A new stone plaque was also put in place.
A Playful Prank
In August 2011, some people played a trick on the horse. They added a plastic horn to its head. This made the horse look like a unicorn for a short time!
Seeing the Osmington White Horse
The Osmington White Horse is a famous landmark. It reminds people of King George III's connection to Weymouth. It's a great example of a historic hill figure. Many visitors enjoy trying to spot it from the road.
