The 180-foot (55-metre) Cerne Abbas Giant, Britain's largest chalk hill figure, is undergoing an urgent two-week re-chalking by National Trust staff and volunteers. The process uses approximately 17 tonnes of chalk, hand-packed on a steep 33 percent slope, after an exceptionally wet summer in 2024 caused algae and grass to dull its outline . This restoration coincides with the Trust's recent acquisition of over 130 hectares of surrounding land, purchased through a national fundraising appeal, to protect both the ancient figure and its setting.

17 tonnes of chalk and a 33 percent slope: The manual restoration underway

National Trust workers and volunteers are re-chalking the Cerne Abbas Giant using traditional hand-packing methods, a technique unchanged for generations, according to the National Trust. The chalk must be tightly packed to prevent water ingress and weed growth, a laborious task on the steep Dorset hillside. The two-week process replaces the figure's white outline, which had become dulled by algae and weather.

Algae, record rain, and online 'manscaping' jokes: Why the Giant needed an early fix

The most recent re-chalking was in 2019 for the Trust's centenary, but the exceptionally wet summer of 2024 accelerated deterioration , as reported by the source. Grass overgrew the chalk outline, prompting visitor complaints and online jokes about needing 'manscaping' — referring to the figure's exaggerated phallus. The algae growth is believed to be linked to warmer, wetter conditions and more intense rainfall, which also speeds erosion. Hannah Jefferson, general manager for the National Trust at West Dorset & Cranborne Chase, said care now extends beyond the figure to the entire landscape.

A 130-hectare land buy: Protecting more than just the Giant's outline

The restoration holds special significance because of the Trust's recent acquisition of over 130 hectares of surrounding land, made possible by a national fundraising appeal. National Trust archaeologist Steve Timms noted the Giant was never intended to be isolated, underscoring the importance of the surrounding habitat. The purchase ensures the landmark's preservation within a protected setting, allowing the Giant's story to be 'continually written by both history and today's people,' Jefferson added.

From Saxon trousers to a 17th-century phallus: What LiDAR revealed about the Giant's origins

The scientific origins of the Cerne Abbas Giant have long been debated, with theories ranging from a Roman Hercules to a satirical portrait of Oliver Cromwell. However, a 2021 analysis using LiDAR technology suggested the figure was likely first carved in the late Saxon period, between 700 and 1100 AD. The research indicates the figure may have originally worn trousers, with the exaggerated phallus added in the 17th century as a 'figure of fun'. The National Trust's current work does not resolve these debates, but the land acquisition provides room for further archaeological study.

Several open questions remain. How will the National Trust adapt its re-chalking schedule to increasingly wet summers linked to climate change? And can the hand-packing method keep up with accelerating erosion? The source does not detail the Trust's long-term climate adaptation plan for the Giant. additionally, while LiDAR offered a new timeline, the exact purpose of the original figure remains unknown.