Book Review: Upon a White Horse by Peter Ross – A Winter Journey Through Ancient Britain

As the year draws to its close and the days darken, many of us crave quiet reflection and connection with our roots. 

Upon a White Horse: Journeys in Ancient Britain and Ireland by Peter Ross is a book that captures that yearning perfectly, weaving together history, travel and a deep sense of place that feels utterly right for the Christmas season.

A Journey Through Time and Landscape

Ross takes readers on an evocative pilgrimage through Britain and Ireland’s ancient landscapes, from the haunting Uffington White Horse to Stonehenge at midwinter, and to sacred places in Scotland and Ireland.

Along the way he meets the modern guardians of these sites: parish volunteers, archaeologists, local historians and quietly devoted caretakers who keep these ancient traditions alive.

Rather than recounting dry facts, Ross writes as a poet might walk, absorbing the light, the wind, and the voices of those who once gathered at these stones. His prose invites us to feel the deep rhythm of the land beneath our feet.

A Perfect Winter Read

The book opens at Stonehenge, just before Christmas, and that image, the sun rising through the stones at the solstice — sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s a book of midwinter light, of long shadows, and of quiet awe.

For readers of That’s Christmas 365, it offers a slower kind of seasonal inspiration. While the festive rush surrounds us, Ross reminds us to pause, breathe, and remember that the turning of the year has always been sacred, long before fairy lights and carols.

It’s ideal reading for an evening by the fire, or as a gift for anyone who loves British history, ancient sites, or simply thoughtful, lyrical writing.

I admit that I was so enthralled that I read it in one sitting from cover to cover. 

Themes of Reflection and Renewal

Ross writes with empathy about traces and absences, the ghosts of people and cultures that shaped the landscape. Yet the book is also hopeful, showing how modern communities reconnect with the past through solstice gatherings, preservation work, and storytelling.

In that sense, Upon a White Horse aligns beautifully with the heart of Christmas: remembrance, renewal, and light returning after darkness.

Why You’ll Love It

Rich sense of place, from chalk horses to ancient mounds.

Seasonal resonance, solstice, reflection, and winter stillness.

Human stories, people who care for and live among the monuments.

Beautiful prose – calm, lyrical and deeply observant.

The Verdict

If you’re seeking a gift for someone who loves British history, heritage travel, or winter reflection, Upon a White Horse is an excellent choice. I admit that I was so enthralled that I read it in one sitting from cover to cover. 

It’s a 5.0 star read, a gentle, luminous companion for dark December nights.

Available now from major booksellers including this link to our Amazon shop at a discount price of £17.00, 23% off the published price. https://amzn.to/4oOiLFn