Cerne Giant
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![Looking down on the naked chalk figure of the Cerne Giant on the grassy hill]()
The huge chalk figure is best viewed from above -
![A wooden signpost pointing walkers towards Giants Hill]()
It's a bracing climb up Giants Hill but the views from the top are fantastic
Ancient naked figure sculpted into the chalk hillside above Cerne Abbas
Ancient naked figure sculpted into the chalk hillside above Cerne Abbas
Standing at 180ft tall, this is Britain's largest chalk hill figure. It is also our most controversial.
Many theories surround the giant's identity. Is it an ancient symbol of spirituality? The Greco-Roman hero Hercules? Or a mockery of Oliver Cromwell? Local folklore has long held it to be an aid to fertility.
Above the Cerne Giant is a rectangular earthwork enclosure, known as the Trendle.
Like the giant, the Trendle is of unknown origin, but it is believed to date back to the Iron Age. It is still used today by local Morris Dancers as a site for May Day celebrations.
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
