Volunteers work on the Cerne Abbas Giant’s shaft and balls (Picture: PA)

A giant chalk figure of a man with a huge club is being given a make over.

The world famous Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset is 180ft tall and will be re-chalked by hand by dozens of volunteers over the next two weeks.

It has been a feature of the area since the 17th century and is in need of a gentle polish and tickle to restore it – including the 36ft erect penis.

Since its last refresh in 2008, the weather has taken its toll and weeds have encroached on the Giant, blurring its previously sharp chalky outline.


Tonnes of the white stuff extracted from a nearby quarry will be tightly packed in by hand to the existing 1,509ft outline of the figure to ensure it remains visible for miles around.



The Giant was given to the National Trust to look after in July 1920 by the Pitt-Rivers family, and the Trust is planning a year of celebrations next year to mark the centenary.

A man scrubs vigorously on the giant figure that is believed to have been there since the 17th century (Picture: PA)

A man brings a deposit of the white stuff ready to spruce up the giant (Picture: PA)

Ready to unload his sack, he is one of many volunteers working on the giant (Picture: PA)

Natalie Holt, countryside manager for the National Trust, said: ‘Re-chalking the Giant is challenging in many ways, not only due to its size but because of the sheer steepness of the slope he’s on.

‘It needs re-doing every 10 years or so because he does get discoloured and weathered and covered in weeds.

Toothbrush removed from man's stomach after he swallowed it while brushing

‘The first job is to dig out all the old chalk before hammering in 17 tonnes of new chalk.

‘The Giant is vulnerable to erosion from rainwater which can collect in its chalk outline and run down the hill at speed.

‘Therefore, it’s important for us to ensure that the chalk is packed as tightly as possible.

‘When we’re happy we’ve done a really good job of packing the chalk, we will leave him alone – and tamper with him as little as possible – to preserve him for another decade.

Two volunteers focus on the giant’s appendage while others concentrate on the abs (Picture: PA)

A group of men get ahead with the work as they pile in more of the white stuff (Picture: PA)

The Giant lies on high quality chalk grassland – a Site of Special Scientific Interest – that has a huge range of wildflowers including a variety of orchids, thyme, marjoram and small scabious. It is also an important site for butterflies including the Marsh Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy.

The origin of the ancient figure – which stands naked and brandishes a 40 metre (120ft) long club – remains shrouded in mystery, with ideas ranging from a depiction of ancient gods to aiding fertility.

Mike Clark, from the Cerne Historical Society, said: ‘There are many different theories surrounding the Giant’s identity and origin.

‘Some claim he is an ancient symbol, perhaps a likeness of the Greco-Roman God Hercules, though the earliest recorded mention of the Giant only dates from 1694.

‘Others suggest he was created to mock Oliver Cromwell. These are the most favoured theories but all of them have their drawbacks.

Dozens of volunteers will be working on sprucing up the giant (Picture: PA)

Weather has taken its toll on the Cerne Abbas Giant and it needs fresh chalky white deposits every 10 years (Picture: PA)

‘Local folklore has also long held him to be an aid to fertility.’

Miss Holt added: ‘We are constantly reviewing how best to look after the Giant so that he can be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.



‘We know that the impacts of climate change, should we experience more frequent and severe rains, may mean it requires more frequent chalking.

‘We may also have to alter the timing, duration and number of sheep grazing the hillside in order to keep the grass short enough so the giant can be seen.

‘This in tandem with maintaining a flower-rich chalk downland could be a tricky balance to find.’

The figure is now looked after by the National Trust, which is always looking for new members (Picture: PA)

Volunteers hammer away at some of the 18 tonnes of chalk needed to restore it (Picture: PA)

The origin of the ancient figure – which stands naked and brandishes a 40 metre (120ft) long club – remains shrouded in mystery (Picture: PA)