Wilmington is situated at the foot of the South Downs, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is renowned for the Long Man of Wilmington, a great figure 70 metres (231 feet) tall, cut out of the turf of Windover Hill, overlooking the village. Its origins are a mystery. There is no written record of it before the 18th century. In 1874, the outline was marked with yellow bricks, which were later replaced by concrete blocks. Ancient burial barrows and flint mines surround the figure. From the air, it can be seen that the figure is elongated, but from the ground, he presents normal human proportions.
The village of Wilmington stretches from a large green near the main road and climbs uphill towards the church, the remains of a 13th century priory and to the impressive view of the mysterious Long Man. The brick and flint cottages, some of which were previously the village school, store and bakery, have been converted into private houses.
