The Tamesis
A fundraising appeal to protect one of Britain’s most mysterious ancient monuments, the Giant of Thain, has received international support, underscoring the global fascination with the site.
Carved into a Dorset hillside, this 180ft tall chalk statue looks domineering, thanks in no small part to its upright appendage.
On Tuesday, the National Trust announced it had achieved its target of purchasing land near the giant after donations from more than 20 countries, including Australia, Japan and Iceland. The funds will be used to safeguard public access to the statue, protect local wildlife and support further archaeological research into the monument’s origins.
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The Thane Giant has long been associated with British folklore, inspiring centuries of speculation. Theories range from a figure representing a Celtic god or symbol of fertility to a satirical depiction of Oliver Cromwell. In 2021, National Trust archaeologists concluded that the giant was likely carved between AD 700 and 1100, but its exact purpose remains unclear.
“This giant is a folk icon with a mystical quality that attracts interest from far and wide,” Luke Dawson, chief ranger at the National Trust for West Dorset and Cranbourne Chase, told us The Guardian. He noted that the newly acquired land will allow researchers to investigate nearby features including Trendle, an Iron Age earthwork still used by local Morris dancers, and what is believed to be a historic lime kiln.
Archaeologist Steve Timms said the expanded site provides the opportunity to study settlement patterns and ritual activities in the area over thousands of years.
The call comes after 138 hectares of land surrounding the monument were sold last year, sparking concerns from residents and conservation groups about potential development and restricted access. The National Trust paid for the £2.2 million purchase price through its own funds, grants and bequests, and raised an additional £330,000 from the public in just 60 days.
As well as the giant itself, the hillside is an ecologically important site, home to 36 species of butterflies, including the endangered Duke of Burgundy butterfly and the rare hazel-gloved fungus. The funds will be used to reconnect fragmented habitats and improve conditions for these species.
Later this summer, the Thane Giant will be re-chalked using traditional methods involving staff, volunteers and selected donors. The mission will use 17 tons of chalk to keep the characters visible.
“This appeal shows that when people come together, anything is possible,” said Sian Wilkinson, director of public fundraising at the National Trust. “We can now begin the next chapter in this giant’s long history – protecting the monument and its surrounding landscape.”
