Uffington White Horse is a paragliding site in the UK with an elevation of 238 meters. It is regularly used for soaring, and cross-country (XC) flights are possible. However, it is a sensitive site, so it is crucial to follow the rules. The site can be turbulent, so caution is advised.
The site record is 112.4 km. You can watch some flights from this location on YouTube:
- [Flight Video 1](
Click to watch video
)
- [Flight Video 2](
Click to watch video
)
- [Flight Video 3](
Click to watch video
)
Parking rules for Uffington are simple but strict. Park in the main National Trust “Pay and Display” car park and buy a ticket. Do not park in the disabled car park unless you have a blue badge, and avoid parking on the side of the road or in passing places. Do not block gateways used by walkers and horses, and do not try to land near your car.
For more details, visit the [TVHGC Uffington White Horse page](http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/index.php/tvhgcsites/uffington-white-horse).
Access to the site is limited. It is closed during Bank Holidays and all weekends during the school summer holidays. The site status will be posted on the TVHGC website. It is restricted to Pilot (Hill) rated Full TVHGC members only. Reciprocal members are not allowed to use this site.
The wind direction suitable for this site is NW to NNE, with a north-facing escarpment. The National Trust owns and regulates the use of this site. There are many horses in the area, often ridden by inexperienced riders, so never fly low over horses. The site is also a popular tourist attraction, so be careful and tolerant of visitors. Be mindful of livestock, especially around lambing time.
Location:
- OS Grid Ref: SU 302 868
- Map: Landranger 174, Explorer 170
Directions:
Follow National Trust signposts for “Uffington White Horse.”
Parking:
Park in the main National Trust “Pay and Display” car park. Do not park in the disabled car park, on the side of the road, or in passing places. Do not park on the road up to the hill.
Access:
From the main NT car park, take the footpaths to the White Horse.
Take Off:
Approximate elevation: 250m/820’ AMSL. The take-off areas are marked on the map to the east of the White Horse, with another area to the NE of the Fort.
Landing:
1. The designated top landing area is the same as the launch area marked on the map to the east of the White Horse. The bowl area is very steep, so be careful if you must slope land.
2. The unofficial bottom landing is the L-shaped field at the bottom, as marked on the map, to the east of the road up Dragon Hill. Beware of livestock and campers.
Prohibited landing areas:
- Do not land on the White Horse itself or Dragon Hill spur unless in an emergency.
- Avoid landing to the west of the hill Fort towards the car park due to risks to the public.
Hazards:
When the wind is from the NW or NNE, rotor can occur behind Dragon Hill, so beware of getting low in the gullies. Coordinate with model glider flyers to avoid conflicts. Be cautious when top landing in strong winds due to the steep slope.
XC:
If you go XC from this site, get as high as possible before leaving the hill. The first 10 km towards Lambourn have few roads, and Lambourn has many racehorses, so be careful about landing out.
