A hill figure is a large visual representation created by cutting into a steep hillside and revealing the underlying geology. It is a type of geoglyph usually designed to be seen from afar rather than above. In some cases trenches are dug and rubble made from material brighter than the natural bedrock is placed into them. The new material is often chalk , a soft and white form of limestone , leading to the alternative name of chalk figure for this form of art.
75-687: Afon Rheidol ( Welsh pronunciation: [ˈr̥ei̯dɔl] ; also known as the River Rheidol ) is a river in Ceredigion , Wales , 19 miles (31 km) in length. The source is Plynlimon . Receiving an average annual rainfall of 40 inches (1.02 m), Plynlimon is also the source of both the Wye and the Severn . Originally formed at the confluence of the Afon Hengwm and Afon Llechwedd-mawr,
150-460: A minor kingdom which occupied approximately the area of the county in the fifth century AD. The contemporary county has the same borders as Cardiganshire, which was established in 1282 by the English king Edward I after his conquest of Wales . In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the county was more industrialised than it is today; lead , silver and zinc were mined in the area, and Cardigan
225-668: A collection of oral history interviews with people from Ceredigion during the 1960s and 1970s. The recordings were archived, digitised, catalogued and made available during the Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project at the National Library of Wales . Hill figure Hill figures cut in grass are a phenomenon especially seen in England , where examples include the Cerne Abbas Giant ,
300-539: A lost figure. Its existence is suggested by infrared photography . If it is a lost figure, its age is uncertain, and unlikely prehistoric in origin, as only one figure in the UK has been shown to be of this age, the Uffington White Horse . While presumed to be of prehistoric origin, surviving examples may have been created only within the last four hundred years. Of these giants only two survive: one near
375-589: A permanent presence of bottlenose dolphins . Another member of the fauna is the red kite ; these may be seen in various localities in the county, but at the Red Kite Feeding Centre near Tregaron, they are fed each day, and large numbers congregate along with hungry crows and other birds. Between 1991 and 2003 Ceredigion had the largest population growth of any county in Wales, with a 19.5% increase. Tourism and agriculture, chiefly hill farming, are
450-465: A population of 71,500; the latter is a decline of 4,492 since the 2011 census . After Aberystwyth (15,935), the largest towns are Cardigan (4,184) and Lampeter (2,970). Ceredigion is considered a centre of Welsh culture and 45.3% of the population could speak the Welsh language at the 2021 census. To the west, Ceredigion has 50 miles (80 km) of coastline on Cardigan Bay , which is traversed by
525-527: A prehistoric shape, while the Cerne Abbas Giant may be prehistoric, Romano-British, or Early Modern. Nevertheless, these figures, and their possible lost companions, have been iconic in the English people's conception of their past. In England there are at least fifty landscape figures, the majority of which are in the south. The creation of hill figures has been practised since prehistory and can include human and animal forms. Cutting of horses
600-503: A sediment analysis by the National Trust indicated an origin in the date range of 700 CE to 1100 CE, surprising historians who did not expect it to be medieval. In 2008, overgrowth forced a re-chalking of the giant, with 17 tonnes of new chalk being poured in and tamped down by hand. The Long Man of Wilmington is located on one of the steep slopes of Windover Hill, six miles (9.7 km) northwest of Eastbourne . The figure
675-746: A series of rapids near Llandysul where canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting take place. The county's main football team, Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier , play their home matches at Park Avenue Stadium . Cardigan Town Football Club, also known as the "Magpies", play in Division 1 of the Ceredigion League. The Cambrian Line provides main line railway services between Aberystwyth , Shrewsbury and Birmingham , where passengers can join services for London and elsewhere. Passengers can change at Dovey Junction for trains along
750-408: Is 227 feet (69 m) tall and designed to look in proportion when viewed from below, and is shown holding two staves. The earliest record was made by the surveyor John Rowley in the year 1710. This drawing suggests that the original figure was a shadow or indentation in the grass, rather than the solid outline of a human figure. The staves were not depicted as a rake and scythe as was once thought, and
825-661: Is Bryan Davies of Plaid Cymru . The entire county is a Senedd constituency , with its Member of the Senedd being Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) for the Ceredigion constituency . At Westminster, all of Ceredigion is in the Ceredigion Preseli constituency since 2024, replacing Ceredigion . With Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru) being re-elected as the Member of Parliament in the 2024 election . Farming has traditionally been
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#1732782559570900-485: Is Llyn Llygad Rheidol, a lake in a high valley near the summit of Pen Pumlumon Fawr , as its name suggests ("Rheidol's Eye Lake"); the stream Nant y Llyn descends from it into the Afon Hengwm, but is not a substantial stream. There are several other, larger streams, such as the Afon Hengwm, which rises to the south of Llyn Bugeilyn, just across the boundary in Powys . The Afon Llechwedd-mawr rises near Llyn Penrhaeadr and marks
975-561: Is a county in the west of Wales . It borders Gwynedd across the Dyfi estuary to the north, Powys to the east, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. Aberystwyth is the largest settlement and, together with Aberaeron , is an administrative centre of Ceredigion County Council . The county is the second most sparsely populated in Wales, with an area of 688 square miles (1,780 km ) and
1050-636: Is a coastal county, bordered by Cardigan Bay to the west, Gwynedd to the north, Powys to the east, Carmarthenshire to the south and Pembrokeshire to the south-west. Its area is 1,795 square kilometres (693 sq mi). In 2010 the population was 76,938, making it the second most sparsely populated county in Wales. The main settlements are Aberaeron , Aberporth , Aberystwyth , Borth , Cardigan , Lampeter , Llanarth , Llanddewi Brefi , Llandysul , Llanilar , Llanrhystud , Llanon , New Quay , and Tregaron . The largest of these are Aberystwyth and Cardigan. The Cambrian Mountains cover much of
1125-468: Is a nearly-lost hill figure which can be seen with the aid of infrared photography . Now looking more like a small ear of corn or a strange weapon than a human figure, there is a legend suggesting that a giant called Gill was once cut on this same hill and that he was considered an adversary of the Long Man of Wilmington not far away. According to one story, the giant on Firle Beacon threw his hammer at
1200-486: Is being developed as West Wales Airport for domestic flights within Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom . The airport is also developing as a centre for the deployment of civil and military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as 'drones'. The airport underwent major improvements in 2008, which extended the length of the runway from 945 to 1,257 m (3,100 to 4,124 ft). Ceredigion Library has
1275-500: Is common, as well as more abstract symbols and, in the modern era, advertising brands. The reasons for the creation for the figures are varied and obscure. The Uffington Horse probably held political significance, since the figure dominates the valley below. It probably dates to the British Iron Age since coins have been found exhibiting the symbol. The Cerne Abbas Giant might have been a work of political satire likely of
1350-415: Is natural vegetation covering the figures. In the case of chalk figures, natural vegetation encroaches from the edges and can grow on soil washed onto the figure by rain. Water erosion can also be a problem on steep or gentle slopes, because rain can wash the chalk off the horse, or soil onto the horse. Larger horses are more susceptible to this. If chalk is washed off the horse, the horse gradually creeps down
1425-604: Is rich in archaeological remains such as forts, earthworks and standing stones. Historic sites that can be accessed include Aberystwyth Castle and Cardigan Castle , as well as Strata Florida Abbey . Other visitor attractions include the Cwmystwyth Mines , Llywernog Mine , Devil's Bridge , the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre, Elvis Rock , Cors Caron (Tregaron bog), the Vale of Rheidol Railway , and
1500-487: The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway . Leisure activities available in the county include beach activities, rambling, cycling, sea fishing, canoeing, sailing and horse riding. Many of the towns and villages along the coast have small harbours and facilities for sailing, dolphin watching and other maritime activities. The Ceredigion Coast Path from Cardigan to Ynyslas runs about 60 miles (97 km) along
1575-636: The Afon Mynach in a 300 feet (91 m) plunge at the Devil's Bridge chasm. The largest river is the River Teifi which forms the border with Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire for part of its length. The towns of Lampeter, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan are all in the Teifi Valley, and each has communities on each side of the river, in different counties. Other significant rivers include
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#17327825595701650-524: The Afon Mynach , at Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion ( Welsh : Pontarfynach , lit. "bridge on the Mynach"), and a spectacular waterfall. The river continues, passing the abandoned workings of the Cwm Rheidol lead mine; one of many other metal mines in the valley – a source of extracted metal pollution of the river – and flows westwards before reaching its confluence with
1725-496: The Afon Ystwyth and the estuary at Aberystwyth to drain into Cardigan Bay . ( 52°24′26″N 4°05′23″W / 52.4071°N 4.0898°W / 52.4071; -4.0898 ( River Rheidol (mouth) ) ) In the late 1960s, when the mine was closed, a major blowout of water contained in an adit coloured the whole river an ochre orange colour and greatly added to the concentrations of lead and zinc in
1800-846: The Cambrian Coast Line to Pwllheli . There are no motorways in Ceredigion; the nearest is the western end of the M4 motorway at Pont Abraham , near Pontarddulais in Carmarthenshire . The Fishguard to Bangor trunk road , the A487 , travels in a north-east direction following the coast from Cardigan to New Quay , through Aberaeron and Aberystwyth . The A44 travels eastwards from Aberystwyth to Llangurig , before turning south then east through Rhayader , Leominster and Worcester . There are local bus services between
1875-606: The Ceredigion Coast Path . Its hinterland is hilly and rises to the Cambrian Mountains in the east, where the highest point is Plynlimon at 752 metres (2,467 ft). The mountains are the source of the county's main rivers: the Rheidol , Ystwyth , Aeron and Teifi ; the last of these is Ceredigion's boundary with Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire for most of its length. Ceredigion is named after
1950-662: The River Aeron which has its estuary at Aberaeron , and the River Ystwyth and the River Rheidol both of which reach the sea in Aberystwyth harbour . Ceredigion's 50 miles (80 km) of coastline has sandy beaches. In 2011 Ceredigion's beaches were awarded five Blue Flag Awards , four Green Coast Awards , and fourteen Seaside Awards . Ceredigion is one of only two places in the United Kingdom with
2025-538: The Uffington White Horse , and the Long Man of Wilmington , as well as the "lost" carvings at Cambridge , Oxford and Plymouth Hoe . From the 18th century onwards, many further ones were added. Many figures long thought to be ancient have been found to be relatively recent when subjected to modern archaeological scrutiny, at least in their current form. Only the Uffington White Horse appears to retain
2100-640: The University of Reading suggests that the figure dates from the 16th or 17th century AD. Until the early 17th century large outline images of the two giants, perhaps Gog and Magog (or Goemagot and Corineus ) had for a long time been cut into the turf of Plymouth Hoe exposing the white limestone beneath. An early and explicit reference was made to them by Richard Carew in 1602. At one time these figures were periodically re-cut and cleaned but no trace of them remains today. Firle Corn in Firle , Sussex
2175-474: The "Trendle", or "Frying Pan". Medieval writings refer to this location as "Trendle Hill", but make no mention of the giant, leading to the conclusion that it was probably only carved about 400 years ago. In contrast, the Uffington White Horse – an unquestionably prehistoric hill figure on the Berkshire Downs – was noticed and recorded by medieval authors. In 2021,
2250-455: The 'restoration' process distorted the position of the feet, an assertion backed up by several who had been familiar with the figure before 1874, and also by later resistivity surveys. It has also been suggested that it removed the Long Man's genitalia, though there is no historical or archaeological evidence which supports that claim. A wide range of dates of origin have been proposed for the Long Man, but more recent archaeological work done by
2325-551: The Church in Wales. Further local government reform under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 saw the area become a unitary authority on 1 April 1996. The 1994 act specified that the reformed council was to have both a Welsh and an English name: Sir Aberteifi / Cardiganshire. Before the new arrangements came into force the incoming council resolved to change the name to Ceredigion in both languages. The government agreed
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2400-460: The Early Modern period. Wiltshire is a county with a large number of White Horses; 14 have been recorded. The figures are usually created by the cutting away of the top layer of relatively poor soil on suitable hillsides. This exposes the white chalk beneath, which contrasts well with the short green hill grass, and the image is clearly visible for a considerable distance. Although most of
2475-544: The Irish Sea. In the 19th century, many of the rural poor emigrated to the New World from Cardigan, between five and six thousand leaving the town between 1790 and 1860. Aberystwyth became the main centre for the export of lead and Aberaeron and Newquay did brisk coastal trade. The building of the railway from Shrewsbury in the 1860s encouraged visitors, and hotels sprang up in the town to accommodate them. This area of
2550-514: The Rheidol now emerges as the outflow of Nant-y-moch Reservoir ( 52°27′32″N 3°50′06″W / 52.4590°N 3.8349°W / 52.4590; -3.8349 ( River Rheidol (source) ) ) on the western flanks of Plynlimon , near the sources of the Wye and Severn . After flowing south to Ponterwyd in the increasingly deep valley, then southwest through Welsh Oak ancient woodland , it veers westwards to its confluence with
2625-502: The Rheidol valley. A large stag-like shape on the northern valley wall, above the Cwm Rheidol reservoir, known as the "White Stag", is traditionally said to be a hill figure but it is in fact an industrial feature, formed by the waste from lead mining at Gellireirin. The landmark has been visible for more than 100 years. The catchment of the Rheidol is dominated by the western maritime exposure of this part of Wales. Rainfall levels are high and ecosystems reflect both high rainfall and
2700-466: The Rheidol valley. These include the village of Devil's Bridge and the Mynach Falls , where three bridges, each built over the previous, span the top of a spectacular gorge. Between Devil's Bridge and Aberystwyth runs a narrow-gauge steam railway, the Vale of Rheidol Railway . This was originally built to ship metal ore from the mines, but now provides a very popular tourist route to the top end of
2775-558: The United States, Canada, Patagonia and Australia. Furthermore, the owners of the great landed estates, who had for so long dominated the politics of the county, were in many cases heavily in debt. This led to the loss of landowner influence in the running of the county; this became very apparent at the first elections to the Cardiganshire County Council in 1889. By the second half of the 20th century,
2850-468: The Wilmington giant and killed him, and that the figure on the hillside marks the place where his body fell. As a publicity stunt for the opening of The Simpsons Movie on 16 July 2007, a giant Homer Simpson brandishing a doughnut was outlined in water-based biodegradable paint to the left of the Cerne Abbas Giant. This act angered local neopagans , who pledged to perform "rain magic" to wash
2925-452: The abbey and Llanbadarn Fawr were important monastic sites of scholarship and education. Place names including ysbyty denote their association with pilgrims. In 1282, Edward I of England conquered the principality of Wales and divided the area into counties. One of thirteen traditional counties in Wales . Cardiganshire was split into the five hundreds of Genau'r-Glyn, Ilar, Moyddyn, Penarth and Troedyraur. Much later, Cardiganshire
3000-489: The acidic nature of the underlying rocks. Combined with the acid mine drainage from abandoned silver and lead mines that sit within the catchment (the area around Aberystwyth contains 38 of the 50 worst polluting metal mines in Wales), by 1991 the river had regularly broken EEC pollution limits for heavy metal contamination such as zinc . Upland Molinia spp. grassland is common growing on deep deposits of peat . Within
3075-472: The basis of Cardiganshire's economy, with dairying and stock-rearing being the main occupations. Before the first railway was built in 1866, the stock used to be herded over the mountains to England, where Rugby , Northampton and London were important destinations. At one time there was a sizeable mining industry in Cardiganshire, but the reserves of lead, silver and zinc became unprofitable to mine by
Afon Rheidol - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-406: The boundary between Ceredigion and Powys along most of its course. There are some other lesser streams, including Nant y Moch, after which the reservoir is named. For many centuries the economy of the Rheidol valley had been based on metal mining. This has now been replaced by forestry , tourism and the farming of beef , dairy cattle and sheep . There are a number of tourist attractions in
3225-623: The capital of Welsh culture. The National Library of Wales is at Aberystwyth and there is information on local history at the Ceredigion Museum . There is a technical museum Internal Fire – Museum of Power , which is at Tan-y-groes near the coast road. Stately homes in the county open to the public include the Hafod Estate and Llanerchaeron . It is home to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre . The county
3300-501: The centres of Methodism in Wales; the Aeron Valley was at the centre of the revival. Cardigan was one of the major ports of southern Wales until its harbour silted in the mid-19th century. The Industrial Revolution passed by, not much affecting the area. In the uplands, wheeled vehicles were rare in the 18th century, and horses and sleds were still being used for transport. On the coast, herrings and corn were traded across
3375-401: The change of name, which took effect on 2 April 1996, one day after the new authority formally came into being. A referendum was held on 20 May 2004 on whether to have a directly elected mayor for the county, which would have been the first in Wales. The Llais Ceredigion political initiative had been formed with this aim, but the proposal was rejected. As of 2024, the council leader
3450-490: The coast with spectacular scenery. It can conveniently be divided into seven sections. When Dylan Thomas lived in New Quay and Talsarn, he frequented Aberaeron and Lampeter. The Dylan Thomas Trail links places associated with him. The Welsh Government's Visit Wales website describes the River Teifi as "one of the major game rivers of Wales," although there has been concern that salmon stocks are in decline. There are
3525-603: The county and there are many standing stones dating back to the Bronze Age . Around the time of the Roman invasion of Britain , the area was between the realms of the Demetae and Ordovices . The Sarn Helen road ran through the territory, with forts at Bremia and Loventium protecting gold mines near present-day Llanddewi Brefi . Following the Roman withdrawal , Irish raids and invasions were repulsed, supposedly by
3600-532: The county of Dyfed became a district of Wales under the name Ceredigion in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , and since 1996, has formed the county of Ceredigion. According to the 2021 census 45.3% of the population can speak Welsh , the third highest proportion after Gwynedd and the Isle of Anglesey . Nevertheless, this was a decline from 47.3% in 2011 and 52% in 2001. Ceredigion
3675-479: The county was governed by Cardiganshire County Council , which took over the local government functions of the quarter sessions . The county council was abolished in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 , with the area becoming the lower-tier district of Ceredigion within the larger county of Dyfed . Until 1974, Cardiganshire had been governed locally by civil parishes ; these in large part equated to ecclesiastical parishes , most of which still exist as part of
3750-536: The early 20th century. Shipping was also important in the county, with coal and lime being imported in coastal vessels, and mineral ores and oak bark for tanning being exported. Shipbuilding was an important industry: most of Wales' sailing vessels were built in Cardiganshire. Cardiganshire had a substantial population in the early modern period, but this declined during the 19th century as wider social and economic developments affected all aspects of Cardiganshire life. Traditional industries were in decline, agriculture
3825-521: The east of the county; this large area forms part of the desert of Wales . In the south and west, the surface is less elevated. The highest point is Plynlimon (Pumlumon) at 2,467 feet (752 m), other Marilyns include Pen y Garn and Llan Ddu Fawr . On the slopes of Pumlumon five rivers have their sources: the Severn , the Wye , the Dulas , the Llyfnant and the Rheidol , the last of which meets
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#17327825595703900-565: The figure away. There are 16 known white horse hill figures in the UK, or 17 including the painted one at Cleadon Hills . The horses in Cockington Green, Georgia and Juárez are all based on the style of or direct copies of the Uffington White Horse. The white horses of Wiltshire, of which there are currently nine, have inspired other sculptures in the county. Julive Livsey's sculpture White Horse Pacified (1987) in Shaw, Swindon
3975-419: The figure referring to the horse. The Cerne Abbas Giant , also referred to as the "Rude Man" or the "Rude Giant", is a hill figure of a giant naked man 180 ft (55 m) high, 167 ft (51 m) wide. The figure is carved into the side of a steep hill, and is best viewed from the opposite side of the valley or from the air. The carving is formed by a trench 12 in (30 cm) wide, and about
4050-652: The figures are of great age, many are relatively new. Devizes in Wiltshire created a large white horse for the 2000 Millennium celebrations and in October 2009 celebrated this with an aerial photo of volunteers making the figure 10 for an aerial photo. Figures must be maintained to remain visible, and local people often work regularly to restore or maintain a local landmark, though two cuttings of military badges at Sutton Mandeville , Wiltshire, are becoming lost. A lost map of Australia at Compton Chamberlayne , Wiltshire,
4125-641: The forces under a northerner named Cunedda . The 9th-century History of the Britons attributed to Nennius records that Cunedda's son Ceredig settled the area around the Teifi in the 5th century. The territory supposedly remained a minor kingdom under his dynasty until its extinction upon the drowning of Gwgon ap Meurig c. 871 , after which it was administered by Rhodri Mawr of Gwynedd before passing to his son Cadell , whose son Hywel Dda inherited its neighbouring kingdom Dyfed and established
4200-421: The head was a helmet shape. Sir William Borrow's drawing of 1766 shows the figure holding a rake and a scythe, both shorter than the staves. Before 1874, the Long Man's outline was only visible in certain light conditions as a different shade in the hillside grass, or after a light fall of snow. In that year an antiquarian marked out the outline with yellow bricks, later cemented together. It has been claimed that
4275-427: The highest proportions of its population working in agriculture, forestry and fishing, close behind such other places as Orkney and Shetland . Exposed, marginal land is also used for wind farms : Cefn Croes Wind Farm near Devil's Bridge has 39 turbines and a nominal capacity of 58.5 MW. Farm incomes have been in decline over the years; and, as well as being a European Objective I area , in 2001 Ceredigion
4350-422: The main centres of population, with long distance services between Aberystwyth and Cardiff , via Aberaeron and Lampeter . A bus service known as Bwcabus operates in the south of the county, offering customised transport for rural dwellers. TrawsCymru T1 service runs between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen, with some journeys through Aberaeron and Lampeter. Aberporth Airport , located south-east of Aberporth ,
4425-588: The most important industries. In addition, two universities are within the county boundaries: Aberystwyth University and the Lampeter campus of the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David . The Welsh Plant Breeding Station is near Aberystwyth and linked to the University. The National Library of Wales , founded in 1907, is also in Aberystwyth. Ceredigion is an extremely rural county; the largest town, Aberystwyth, has fewer than 15,000 permanent residents and
4500-637: The population was increasing again. More retired people were arriving to make their home in the tranquil surroundings, and after the Beacham Commission in the 1960s, the British government realised that the rural way of life in parts of Wales was in crisis, and started to react. Through government initiatives and local actions, opportunities in tourism, rural crafts, specialist food shops, farmers' markets and added-value food products began to emerge. However, in 2011, at 3.1%, Ceredigion still had one of
4575-487: The realm of Deheubarth . Records are highly obscure; some historians believe that Hyfaidd ap Bledrig , the Dyfed ruler, may have annexed Ceredigion before his heirs lost it to Hywel through war. Many pilgrims passed through Cardiganshire on their way to St Davids . Some came by sea and made use of the churches at Mwnt and Penbryn , while others came by land seeking hospitality at such places as Strata Florida Abbey . Both
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#17327825595704650-510: The remainder of the population of the county is scattered over 150 small towns, villages and hamlets. According to the 2011 UK census the population of Ceredigion was around 75,900. By the time the 2021 UK census was taken this had fallen by 5.8% to 71,500. The county has no large commercial areas. The nearest substantial settlements are located at least 1 hour 45 minutes drive away. Approximate road distances from Ceredigion's largest town, Aberystwyth, are: Swansea , 75 miles (121 km) to
4725-492: The river. Today, management of water still draining from the mine is by the use of constructed wetlands . Previous management had included a limestone filter bed installed in the 1960s and now redundant. The filter bed is still in place and can be seen from the road. The reservoir is close to the site of the Battle of Mynydd Hyddgen (1401). The true geographical source of the river is difficult to determine. The traditional source
4800-520: The same depth, which has been cut through grass and earth into the underlying chalk . In his right hand the giant holds a knobbled club 120 ft (37 m) in length. Its history cannot be traced back further than the late 17th century, making an origin during the Celtic , Roman or even Early Medieval periods difficult to prove. Above and to the right of the Giant's head is an earthwork known as
4875-578: The slope; or if soil is washed onto the horse, it collects onto the lower edges and the horse gradually climbs up the slope. A solution is to provide drainage, either using run-off drains, as at Uffington White Horse, or a french ditch . Since hill figures must be maintained by the removal of regrown turf, only those that motivate the local populace to look after them survive. Surviving ancient figures all have an associated fair or ceremony that involves maintaining them. Unmaintained figures gradually fade away. Firle Corn at Firle Beacon , Sussex could be
4950-647: The south; Shrewsbury , 76 miles (122 km) to the east, in the English county of Shropshire ; and Wrexham , 82 miles (132 km) to the northeast. The capital, Cardiff , is over 100 miles (160 km) from most parts of the county. Although Ceredigion and Gwynedd share a boundary, it is not possible to travel directly between the two by land as all road and rail links avoid the Dyfi estuary and pass through Dyfi Junction or Machynlleth in Powys. Between 1889 and 1974,
5025-496: The valleys, dense and ancient oak forests with rich understoreys of ferns , mosses and lichens are common. In the valley bottom, glacial and alluvial deposits have been worked by man into low intensive agriculture. 52°23′28″N 3°57′04″W / 52.391°N 3.951°W / 52.391; -3.951 Ceredigion Ceredigion ( [kɛrɛˈdɪɡjɔn] ), historically Cardiganshire ( / ˈ k ɑː r d ɪ ɡ ə n ˌ ʃ ɪ ə r , - ʃ ə r / ),
5100-525: The village of Cerne Abbas , to the north of Dorchester , in Dorset and one at Wilmington, Long Man civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex . Examples located at Oxford , Cambridge , and on Plymouth Hoe can no longer be seen with the naked eye. The Osmington White Horse carries a rider ( King George III ) but is not considered an example of gigantotomy due to the name of
5175-566: The whiteish underlying soil, which is not itself dug. Geoglyph is the usual term for structures carved into or otherwise made from rock formations. In 1949, Morris Marples "half-humorously" coined the words "leucippotomy for the cutting of white horses and gigantotomy for the cutting of giants on rare occasions". Though neither word appears in the Oxford English Dictionary , the terms occasionally appear in print. Until recently, three methods were used to construct white hill figures. The biggest threat to white horses and other hill figures
5250-508: Was designated a regional "Tourist growth area" by the Wales Tourist Board . There is little industry other than farming, so tourism plays an important part in the county's economy. Visitors stay in hotels, guest houses and homes offering bed-and-breakfast, self-catering cottages, caravans and camp sites; they spend money in local shops, dine in local establishments and visit the county's many attractions. Ceredigion prides itself on offering an unspoilt natural landscape, and Aberystwyth claims to be
5325-425: Was designated as a vice-county . Pen-y-wenallt was home to 17th century theologian and author, Theophilus Evans . In the 18th century there was an evangelical revival of Christianity, and nonconformism became established in the county as charismatic preachers like Daniel Rowland of Llangeitho attracted large congregations. Every community built its own chapel or meeting house, and Cardiganshire became one of
5400-425: Was in decline and it was becoming increasingly difficult for a still-rising population to earn a living within their native parishes and communities. By the first half of the 20th century, falling livestock prices and greater international competition made farming unprofitable. Many residents of Cardiganshire moved to other parts of South Wales, where there were better employment opportunities, and many more emigrated to
5475-552: Was inspired by the white horses. In 2010, Charlotte Moreton created the steel sculpture White Horse for Solstice Park, Amesbury , taking influence from white horses. The Westbury White Horse is depicted on a roundabout and mosaic in the town. An 1872 sketch of the Cherhill White Horse was incorporated into an unofficial flag of Wiltshire . The Town Flag of Pewsey , registered in September 2014, features
5550-467: Was restored in 2018. Similar pictures exist elsewhere in the world, notably the far larger Nazca Lines in Peru , which are on flat land but visible from hills in the area. However, these were made in desert terrain rather than on grassy hillsides, so have not become overgrown and thus have survived much longer without maintenance. The Nazca Lines were formed by removing loose stones from the lines to expose
5625-515: Was the largest port in South Wales. The economy later became highly dependent on dairy farming , but is diversifying into areas such as tourism as farming becomes less profitable. The county is home to the National Library of Wales , Aberystwyth University , and the Lampeter campus of University of Wales Trinity St David . Ceredigion has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A total of 170 hill forts and enclosures have been identified across
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