The 'White Mark'

A bleak cold morning spaniel walk with more or less continuous sleet, foolishly I'd chosen to go over the rather exposed Watlington Hill. Part way up the north-west face of this 235 metre high chalk hill lies the 'white mark'. The narrow triangular shape is 82 metres (270 feet) long and 9.5 metres (31 feet) wide at the base. This chalk scar was created in 1764 by the local squire, Edward Horne. It is said that he wanted to create the illusion that St Leonard's church had a spire when seen from his house.  Unfortunately it is no longer possible to align the mark with the top of the church due to trees blocking the view so this theory can't be tested.