England's famous Cerne Abbas Giant gets 17-tonne chalk restoration

The Cerne Abbas Giant, one of England's most iconic and controversial chalk figures, is set to receive a major restoration. National Trust workers will apply 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to preserve the ancient outline. The effort aims to prevent the figure from fading due to weathering.

The Cerne Abbas Giant, a centuries-old chalk hill figure carved into the hillside of Dorset, England, is getting a significant makeover. National Trust staff and volunteers are set to apply 17 tonnes of fresh chalk to the outline of the famous — and famously rude — figure, which has long been a landmark of British countryside culture.

The giant, known for its explicit depiction of the human form, has been a subject of fascination and debate for generations. Over time, rain and natural erosion have gradually worn away the bright white chalk lines that define its shape, prompting conservationists to act before the figure loses its distinctive appearance entirely.

The National Trust, which manages the site, organises periodic re-chalking efforts to keep the figure visible on the hillside. This latest restoration is one of the most substantial in recent memory, requiring a considerable volunteer effort to haul and spread the chalk across the steep terrain.

The Cerne Abbas Giant draws thousands of visitors each year to the small village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, making it a notable piece of cultural heritage as well as a quirky tourist attraction. Archaeologists and historians continue to debate the figure's true origins and age, with some estimates placing its creation in the early modern period rather than ancient prehistory.