Still standing tall - chalking up a new chapter for the Cerne Abbas Giant
- Published:
- 28 May 2026
Re-chalking of the Cerne Abbas Giant - Britain’s largest and most iconic chalk hill figure – is now underway. The re-chalking happens once every decade, but this time it marks not just the renewal of the Giant himself, but the beginning of a bold new chapter for the historic Dorset landscape on which he lies.
At 180 feet tall, the Cerne Abbas Giant dominates the chalk hillside above Cerne Abbas, where his outline is now being carefully restored using around 17 tonnes of fresh chalk by National Trust staff, volunteers - and members of the public whose donations recently helped secure the future of the surrounding landscape.
It also follows just a few months after an extraordinary nationwide fundraising appeal enabled the National Trust to purchase significant areas of land around the Giant, protecting the wider landscape for nature, archaeology and public access. The appeal, backed by Sir Stephen Fry, reached its £330,000 target in just 60 days, with donations flooding in from across the UK and as far afield as Australia, Japan and Iceland.
Together with major gifts, grants and legacies, this public generosity has helped secure more than 130 hectares of land around the Giant - uniting species‑rich chalk grassland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and important archaeological landscape. Home to rare wildlife including the endangered Duke of Burgundy butterfly, the newly protected land offers a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to create a connected mosaic of habitats, restoring nature and improving access, while working closely with the local community.
“This re‑chalking feels especially meaningful,” said Hannah Jefferson, General Manager for the National Trust at West Dorset & Cranborne Chase. “For centuries, people have cared for the Giant by renewing him in chalk. Now, thanks to thousands of people coming together through the appeal, we can care not just for the figure itself, but for the extraordinary landscape that surrounds him. As fresh white chalk restores the Giant’s unmistakable outline once more, it’s a powerful reminder that his story is still being written - not just by history, but by the people of today.”
Re‑chalking the Giant is a rare and highly skilled operation, carried out roughly once every decade. The steep chalk hillside - sloping at around 1 in 3 - is vulnerable to erosion, meaning the chalk must be packed tightly by hand to keep water out and prevent weeds from taking hold.
Luke Dawson, Lead Ranger for the National Trust at West Dorset & Cranborne Chase comments “Re‑chalking the Giant relies on techniques that haven’t changed for generations - carefully digging out older material and packing in fresh chalk by hand on a very steep slope. It’s how we’ve kept him visible for centuries.
“In recent years, we’ve noticed algae growth starting to dull the Giant’s bright white outline. We can’t say for certain what’s driving that, but warmer, wetter conditions may be a factor and it’s something we’re continuing to investigate. We’re also seeing more intense rainfall, which can increase water run‑off and gradually wear away the chalk, so we’re planning further monitoring to understand the impacts and how we might need to adapt – potentially by re‑chalking more often.
“We will also explore ways to retain more water within the landscape, for example by allowing areas of scrub to develop and establishing permanent grassland.”
The re‑chalking is being carried out by a team of experienced rangers and specialists, supported by trained volunteers. Supporting the experts will also be a small number of appeal supporters who won the chance to take part through a fundraising prize draw - bringing public involvement full circle, from donation to direct conservation action.
The Cerne Abbas Giant’s origins long puzzled historians, sparking theories ranging from a Roman Hercules to a satirical depiction of Oliver Cromwell. In 2021, however, National Trust commissioned scientific analysis transformed understanding of the figure, revealing that the Giant was probably first carved in the late Saxon period, between 700 and 1100 AD.
Steve Timms, National Trust archaeologist, said: “The Giant was never meant to exist in isolation. By protecting the surrounding land, we now have the chance to explore how people moved through, used and understood this landscape over thousands of years.”
Sian Wilkinson, Head of Public Fundraising at the National Trust, said: “Every pound donated helped make this possible. The re‑chalking is a powerful symbol of what can happen when people come together - renewing something ancient, while investing in its future.”