Alton Priors

The hill rises dramatically above the settlement, and carved into its slopes is the Alton Barnes White Horse, a chalk figure created in 1812 that's impossible to miss when you're passing through.

The walk up to the white horse and summit is thoroughly enjoyable. The routes are well-established and the views across the Wiltshire countryside are genuinely impressive, stretching for miles on a clear day. The chalk downland supports some interesting wildflowers, and you're likely to see buzzards or other raptors hunting overhead.

This is primarily a place to visit for walking and landscape rather than village amenities. You won't find much in terms of shops or restaurants here, so Devizes about five miles away is where you'll find facilities and services. If archaeology interests you, the whole stretch of downs around here is rich with Bronze Age barrows and other prehistoric remains, making it worth exploring if you're keen on that aspect of the landscape.