Inside Salisbury: View from a train captures the Westbury White Horse

Eric Ravilious watercolour painting voted a winner

By Annette J Beveridge

A watercolour painting from the 1940s capturing the iconic Westbury White Horse through the window of a third-class train carriage has been voted the UK’s best-loved railway artwork.

On display at the Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, the Train Landscape painted by Eric Ravilious came top of the public vote organised by Art UK and Railway 200. The announcement was made on June 9 2025, the birthday of the pioneer of railways - George Stephenson.

The painting is a collage which was created by Ravilious’s wife, Tirzah Garwood, who used elements taken from several of these train journey sketches. The artist’s family clarified that the White Horse image was a composite view.

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Council Member for Culture, Councillor Mel Jacob, said: "We are delighted that a scene so closely linked with Wiltshire has captured the hearts of people around the world. The Westbury White Horse is one of our county’s most cherished landmarks, and to see it celebrated in this way is a proud moment for our community. This recognition highlights the enduring cultural and historical significance of our landscape."

The poll, part of the Railway 200 celebrations, drew more than 6,500 votes from across the globe, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The top 20 artworks are now featured in a special online exhibition on the Art UK website, available to view until 31 December 2025.

Granddaughter of the artist, Ella Ravilious, said: "I’m thrilled that the Train Landscape has been voted best-loved railway artwork. It captures travel through the British landscape in the late 1930s. It’s a beautiful tribute to the era and to the landscapes that inspired my grandfather."

The Railway 200 initiative marks the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. Events and exhibitions are taking place across the UK throughout 2025, including the nine-month S&DR200 festival in the North East.

For more information on the Railway 200 celebrations and to view the full exhibition, visit www.railway200.co.uk and www.artuk.org