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The Giant is a hill figure located near Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England. The figure depicts a naked male form outlined in chalk and is cut into the north-facing slope of a steep hillside. The origins of the figure remain uncertain, though scholarly opinion has traditionally placed its creation in the seventeenth century, with some evidence suggesting a possible earlier medieval date. The figure measures approximately 180 feet in length and has required periodic maintenance and re-chalking to preserve its visibility, making it a notable example of Dorset's distinctive hill figures and a subject of considerable historical and cultural interest.
Hill figure called The Giant is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003202. View the official record →
The Giant is a hill figure located near Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003202.
Hill figure called The Giant is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003202.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Group of barrows in Seven Barrow Plantation (9.4 km), Barrow E of Red Barn (9.8 km), Earthwork N of Hampton Plantations (9.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Hill figure called The Giant's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Hill figure called The Giant stands on White Chalk Subgroup, bedrock that formed in the Maastrichtian. The rock here is chalk.