Osmington

There are several ‘White Horses’ carved into hillsides around the country, but the White Horse near Osmington, apart from being one of the largest, (354 feet high and 279 feet wide), is the only one which also has a rider. The horse was created in 1807; the rider was added about 3 years later. Wearing a tall cocked hat and carrying a whip, the horseman represents George III. The king was a frequent visitor to nearby Weymouth and his royal patronage naturally attracted many free-spending courtiers to the town. The town fathers of Weymouth decided to express their appreciation by paying the local militia to add the royal rider. The result was an unrecognisable, if undoubtedly loyal, tribute to His Majesty. Like all the other White Horses in England it looks much better when seen from a few miles away; close up, it is meaningless.

A mile south of Osmington, at Osmington Mills, the area’s notorious history in trading contraband liquor lingers in the name of The Smugglers Inn. Unlike many similarly-named hostelries, this one really was a regular haunt for smugglers. Dating back to the 13th century, this former fisherman’s cottage enjoyed a secluded position and the nearby beach provided safe landing. The inn’s landlord in the early 1800s was Emmanuel Carless who, together with his French partner, Pierre Latour or ‘French Peter’, ran a thriving business importing thousands of gallons of brandy each year. Unfortunately, the liquor was so inferior locals refused to drink it and the spirit had to be carried inland on stage coaches, disguised as luggage, to be distilled again.