Cleeve Common
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A fairly short walk with plenty of interest. Cleeve Common is one of the most extensive areas of natural limestone grassland in Gloucestershire. It has never been fertilised and a wide range of wildflowers can be seen on the common. The landscape of the common has been shaped by historic quarrying, resulting in lots of lumps and bumps to negotiate during the course of the walk. There are also some ancient monuments to look out for during the walk, including The Ring, a circular earthwork about fifty metres in diameter and the Cross Dyke, a long ditch and bank earthwork.
The walk encircles the common and heads over to the wash pool on the other side. It was built in 1897 and hundreds of sheep would have been driven down the valley to be dipped in the pool. This peaceful part of the common is popular with migratory birds and the stream passing through marks the beginnings of the River Isbourne.
The walk is mostly flat, although there is one steep climb at the wash pool, but the entire walk is in the highest parts of the Cotswolds, including the highest point. The road leading to the car park will climb up to the common, so expect a drop of a few degrees in temperature to what it is in Cheltenham below.
England - South West England - Gloucestershire - Cotswolds
Features
Ancient Monument, Butterflies, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch
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