The Magic of Uffington White Horse

Gabriel and I set out on a weekend adventure to visit the Uffington White Horse, a place he’s been fascinated with ever since reading Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, one of his favourite books. The White Horse features in the story, and Gabriel couldn’t wait to see it in real life.

As we made our way up the hill, the striking figure of the ancient chalk horse gradually revealed itself. The sheer size and beauty of the horse carved into the hillside were breathtaking. The open skies and rolling hills made it feel like we had stepped into another world—one full of myth and adventure, just like in Skandar.

But the day turned even more magical when, out of nowhere, helicopters flew right overhead! The sound caught us by surprise, and Gabriel's eyes lit up as he said, “Mum, it’s just like in the book!” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, and for a moment, it felt as if the world of Skandar had come to life. Gabriel grinned, imagining that maybe unicorns weren’t too far behind.

After marvelling at the horse, we explored the ancient hill fort nearby. Known as Uffington Castle, it’s an Iron Age fort that still stands proudly overlooking the White Horse. Walking through the remnants of the fort, Gabriel was in awe, wondering what battles and stories had unfolded here centuries ago. The fort’s high vantage point gave us a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside, and it sparked even more ideas for Gabriel’s next adventure story.

We also spotted nearby Dragon Hill, a small, flat-topped hill where legend says St. George slew a dragon. The myth goes that the dragon’s blood spilled onto the ground, leaving a patch where grass still refuses to grow. Gabriel was intrigued, wondering if the dragon might have been connected to the stories in Skandar—the perfect inspiration for his next creative idea.

By the end of the day, we had not only seen an iconic landmark but walked through history and myth, with moments that felt truly magical. The White Horse, the helicopters, the ancient fort, and the legendary dragon all blended into a day that Gabriel and I will never forget