From the western scarp edge of Cleeve Common, it’s possible to look down on Nutterswood
Distance |
6 miles (9½km) |
Maps |
Harvey’s Cotswold Way 1:40,000 |
Accommodation |
Cleeve Hill and Bishop’s Cleeve (+ 1½ miles (2½km)) |
Refreshments |
None until Cleeve Hill |
On this short stage the Cotswold Way crosses farmland on the way to the seemingly vast and breezy upland of Cleeve Common, the highest land on the route, which tops the 1000ft (300m) contour. Before fully mounting onto the common, the path weaves among gorse and hawthorn, lively with bird-life and butterflies, and provides numerous enticing views over the low country of patchwork fields and meadows. It’s a fine stage and a lovely walk – but note that there are no refreshment facilities actually on the route, and that Cleeve Hill’s opportunity, noted above, lies a short walk away from the path.
Please see map, Southbound, Section 4.
The path makes a steep climb alongside Dowdeswell Wood. It’s a strenuous ascent, very slippery following wet weather, but eased in places by a series of steps. In springtime it’s a delight of colour and birdsong (the wood is a nature reserve). At the top of the slope the path spills onto a narrow farm road beneath high-voltage power cables. There are kissing gates on either side of the road. Through the second of these cross a field half-right to the opposite boundary, which you then follow to the top of the field and another kissing gate that gives onto a very narrow lane (grid ref: 991211).
Continue straight ahead along a track which eventually brings you to a second narrow lane. Veer slightly left along this with its row of pollarded beech trees, taking the first turning on the left along another quiet country lane – this time through an avenue of mature beeches.
At the end of a small woodland on the right, leave the lane and walk alongside the trees, with a large meadow stretching away to your left, in order to reach the head of another narrow lane. Bear right through a gate and continue on a rising track to a region of disused quarries above to the right. Look for a waymark on a pole supporting overhead cables. This points you half-left down a brief slope for a few paces, then through a boundary on your right. A path now contours over a rough patch of hillside, weaving among gorse bushes as far as a four-way crossing. Bear left, still among gorse, and you will come to a stile over which you enter a butterfly reserve (the Bill Smyllie Reserve). The way through this is clear and easy, and you eventually leave it through a gate.
The way now skirts the lower edge of a beech wood, curves left, and goes down a slope alongside a fence. At a path junction turn right and begin the rising approach to Cleeve Common. This takes you through a gateway, then climbs (quite steeply in places) among clumps of hawthorn (waymarks guide you at junctions) and brings you to a gate leading onto Cleeve Common. Note the transmitter masts half-right ahead – they will appear and disappear with annoying frequency over the ensuing miles, and after making a lengthy tour of the common you will find yourself very close to them again – having walked a 4 mile (6½km) circuit!
From the western scarp edge of Cleeve Common, it’s possible to look down on Nutterswood
Cleeve Common contains the highest point of the Cotswolds at 1083ft (330m). The last expanse of unenclosed land in the region, it covers an area of about 3 square miles (7½ sq km) and is designated a grade 1 site of special scientific interest, with various orchids, glow-worms, and many different types of butterfly attracted by a range of habitats. In spite of the common’s popularity with walkers and golfing enthusiasts, there are large areas that seem as remote as almost anywhere in Britain. Because of its height, this large upland plateau is often swept by mists, during which times it’s a bleak and mysterious place.
Wander ahead (slightly leftwards) to follow the scarp edge, first to the earthworks of an Iron Age hill fort, then beyond this along what is known as Cleeve Cloud, with Castle Rock showing ahead. Coming level with Castle Rock, waymarks send you away from the scarp, heading to the right over the golf course to a trig point vantage point at 1040ft (317m), where there’s also a topograph indicating specific places of interest in the expansive panorama gained from here. Marker posts lead the continuing route in a devious descent until you come onto a clear path which leads towards the golf clubhouse.
The village of Cleeve Hill lies below, and those who have planned to spend the night there should break away and descend to the road (grid ref: 984268) to find accommodation and refreshments. Note that below Cleeve Hill, Bishop’s Cleeve also has accommodation, including (at the time of writing) camping facilities.
Cleeve Hill is a very small village that seems to hang from the steep north-west slope of Cleeve Common, with notable views. Several Iron Age earthworks above the village tell of long-past settlements. One, known as the Ring, covers about ½ acre (/hectare), and within it there’s what may have been a hut platform. On Cleeve Common, Cleeve Hill Municipal Golf Course is owned by Tewkesbury Borough Council.