White Horse of Kilburn

Today's the day .......................... for famous landmarks

Time to return home today - but before I leave the village of Kilburn, I have to tell you about the other thing it is famous for - the 'White Horse' cut into the hillside above.

It is the handiwork of Thomas Taylor, a native of Kilburn and master of the local school.  In 1857, he and his pupils marked out the figure of a horse in the turf high above the village.  It measured just over an acre in area and was 318 feet long and 220 feet high.  A team of 31 volunteers did the actual cutting and when it was complete, they deposited 6 tons of lime on the naturally greyish rock beneath to whiten it.  Apparently, the horse still has to be whitened at regular intervals. 

The journey home to Kendal was uneventful - but included a compulsory visit to the famous Betty’s Café & Restaurant in Ilkley for a spot of lunch.  See extra for the sort of treatment that you get there ......................