Cerne Abbas Giant, Dorset: Ancient Chalk Hillside Figure

The Cerne Abbas Giant, an ancient chalk hillside figure in Dorset, was created during the late Saxon period.

It used to have a belly button, but it was removed in 1908 when it was re-carved with a longer penis.

Standing at 180ft tall, the Cerne Giant is Britain’s largest chalk hill figure and perhaps the best known.

Many theories have surrounded the giant’s identity and origins, including ancient symbol of spirituality, likeness of the Greco-Roman hero Hercules, mockery of Oliver Cromwell and fertility aid.

In 2021, after extensive scientific analysis, National Trust archaeologists concluded the giant was probably first constructed in the late Saxon period.

Phillip Toms, a Professor at the University of Gloucestershire, studied samples using Optically Stimulated Luminescence, which shows when individual grains of sand in the sediment were last exposed to sunlight.

Material taken from the deepest layer (1m) yielded a date range of 700-1100AD which suggests the giant was first made by late Saxons.

National Trust senior archaeologist Martin Papworth said: “The archaeology on the hillside was surprisingly deep – people have been re-chalking the giant over a long period of time.

The deepest sample from his elbows and feet tells us he could not have been made before 700AD, ruling out theories that he is of prehistoric or Roman origin.”

A 1996 study found that some features have changed over time, concluding that the figure originally held a cloak over its extended left arm, and an object (possibly a severed head) beneath its left hand.

The former presence of a cloak was corroborated in 2008, when a team of archaeologists determined that part of the figure had been lost; the cloak might have been a depiction of an animal skin.

In 1993, the National Trust gave the Giant a "nose job" after years of erosion had worn it away.

The Giant sports a notably vertical erection, some 11 metres long (nearly the length of its head), along with a visible scrotum and testicales.

One commentator noted that postcards of the Giant were the only indecent photographs that could be sent through the English Post Office.

However, this feature may also have been changed over time; based off of a review of historical depictions, the Giant's current large erection has been identified as the result of the merging of a circle (representing his navel) with a different, smaller penis during a 1908 re-cut, as the navel still appeared on a late-1890s picture postcard.

Lidar scans, conducted as part of the 2020 survey programme, have concluded that the phallus was added much later than the bulk of the figure, which was (probably) originally clothed.

The giant was given to the National Trust in 1920.

Part of conserving the giant means leaving it alone as much as possible – the chalk is replaced every decade or so, a process that takes days of work by National Trust rangers and volunteers.

The more the ground is disturbed, the quicker the giant erodes away.

Folklore

Whatever its origin, the giant has become an important part of the culture and folklore of Dorset.

Some folk stories indicate that the image is an outline of the corpse of a real giant.

One story says the giant came from Denmark leading an invasion of the coast, and was beheaded by the people of Cerne Abbas while he slept on the hillside.

Other folklore, first recorded in the Victorian era, associates the figure with fertility.

According to folk belief, a woman who sleeps on the figure will be blessed with fecundity, and infertility may be cured through sexual intercourse on top of the figure, especially the phallus.

In 1808, Dorset poet William Holloway published his poem "The Giant of Trendle Hill", in which the Giant is killed by the locals by piercing its heart.

Today, the ancient landmark is a popular tourist destination - and it’s still used today by local Morris Dancers as a site for May Day celebrations. 

The best place to view the Giant is from the Giant's View car park, or on the short walk up to the Giant's feet.

Someone who recently visited the site said: “If you’re in the area, just go and see him. There’s a wonderful viewing platform and you can take all the pictures you want.

”Worth then going into the village and choosing a nice pub for a well deserved drink. A lovely place to spend a couple of hours.”

Another person added: “Allow about 2 hours to take in a walk and visit to the viewing point. Or 10 minutes if you just want to look at the giant and tick that box.

”The views from the top of the hill made the walk very worth while and the Giant was a bonus.”

There’s no entry fee, visitors can just walk up the hill and appreciate the chalk figure up close.

Cerne Abbas village

Cerne Abbas is a charming and quaint village in Dorchester.

While it may be most renowned for its iconic chalk giant etched into the hillside, there's much more to this quaint hamlet than meets the eye.

The village of Cerne Abbas grew around a great Benedictine Abbey, which was founded in AD 987 however the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century sadly saw the Abbey destroyed.

Remains of the Abbey can still be seen today and are well worth a visit.

Despite the loss of the Abbey the village managed to not just survive but prosper; Cerne’s fresh underground water supply fuelling a highly successful brewing trade.

The quality beer was sold as far afield as London and was even exported to the Americas.

Due to this industry, Cerne Abbas at one time boasted no fewer than 15 public houses with a population of only 1500.

Waterpower also gave rise to many other small industries including milling and silk weaving.

Today, the village survives from its tourist industry, enticing people not only from all over Britain but also from across the globe to view the huge ‘Rude Giant’.

Visitors can enjoy food and drink in some picturesque surroundings in pubs such as The New Inn, The Giant Inn and The Royal Oak and Abbotts Tea Rooms.

We strongly recommend visiting The Royal Oak pub - pictured further below.

If you’d like to visit, the address is: The Giant Inn, 24 Long St, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester DT2 7AL.

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