Vale of White Horse Facts for Kids

The Vale of White Horse is a special area in Oxfordshire, England, that is managed by its own local council. It's known for its beautiful countryside and interesting history. The main town in the Vale is Abingdon, and other important towns include Faringdon and Wantage. This district is home to 68 smaller communities called parishes.

The Vale gets its name from the ancient Uffington White Horse, a huge figure carved into a hillside. It lies between the Berkshire Downs hills and the River Thames. The Vale of White Horse district was officially created on 1 April 1974, under a law called the Local Government Act 1972.

Geography of the Vale of White Horse
Famous Landmarks and Sites
Images for kids
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Geography of the Vale of White Horse

The Vale of White Horse is mostly a flat valley. It's where the River Ock flows, which is a stream that eventually joins the River Thames near Abingdon. This area is quite green and has many trees. While some people think the Vale covers all the land between the Cotswolds and the White Horse Hills, geographers usually describe it as being about two to five miles wide. For example, the road distance from Abingdon to Shrivenham at the valley's end is about 18 miles.

Famous Landmarks and Sites

One of the most famous places in the district is White Horse Hill. It's the highest hill in the area, reaching about 261 meters (856 feet) high. On the northern side of this hill, just below the very top, you can see the giant figure of a horse. This horse is carved into the hillside by removing the grass (turf) to show the white chalky soil underneath. This amazing figure is what gives the hill, the nearby hills, and the whole valley its name. The horse is about 114 meters (374 feet) long, and its neck, body, and tail are all roughly the same width.