Cleeve Common Circular

5 k/ 3.1 miles

Highlights: The highest point of the Cotswolds, this walks takes you past the most scenic parts of the common. Gaze on stunning views for miles on the open hill top following grassy paths through the meadow. See grazing livestock, wildflower and butterflies and bees a plenty in the summer months.

Parking: Start at the Quarry Car park, GL52 3PW. Drive PAST the golf club to get to the Quarry car park, cross the cattle grids, and turn left into the car park. Parking is now £2 for the day. You can use a ring and pay service or get a ticket from the machine at the Golf Club.

Alternatively, you can park at the at the Golf Club Car park or the Quarry Car park for free as a non golf club members if you purchase something from the café, restaurant, or shop that is £2 or more in value. See any member of staff on arrival to get this parking validated.

Dogs: Yes, on leads

Facilities: No public toilets. The golf club has toilets for the use of patrons.

Eat/Drink: Cleeve Hill Golf Club is up on the common and has a café open to the public, GL52 3PW. Great coffee and a nice selection of treats, plus a delicious looking breakfast bap when we’ve been!

Accessibility: The Cleeve Common Trust states that Wheelchair access is also possible at the Golf Club (GL52 3PW), although the common has no paved paths and is all stone or grassy tracks. This walk is not suitable for wheelchair users, I have seen families walking the wide grassy tracks with a pushchair, although this route may become challenging in places if pushing a pram. I guess it depends on how strong you are feeling! There are no gates or stiles to contend with.

Step by Step:

Turn left at the entrance past the Cleeve Common Map Board. Continue down the path until opposite the golf club. We stopped at the golf club cafe, which is open to non-members, and had a wonderful coffee before we set off exploring the common.

Here the main track forks, take the LEFT hand fork that takes you slightly uphill.

The Golf Club, and the start of the walk

Then continue on this path, the path flattens and views of bishops Cleeve and the Malvern Hills beyond open up for you to enjoy.

Keep following this path as it starts to head up the hill past the old quarry pits. This main track/ road takes you up on to the top of the common, which is also part of the golf course. There are lots of smaller stone tracks and grassy tracks that lead off in various directions as you continue along the main track. However, stay on this main road/track and follow it right across the common.

As you continue to cross the common, you will see the radio mast on the horizon. Keep the radio mast ahead of you to the left.

Before you reach the edge of the Common, if you look to the right you will see a lone beech tree on the top of common, with benches circling the trunk. This tree is known as the lonely beech and there are magnificent 360 views of Cheltenham and the Cotswolds from this point. Head towards this tree and take a rest on one of the benches that encircle it, stopping for a snack and to take in the views.

With the radio mast behind you and facing the open views of the Cotswolds in front of you, find the wide grassy track directly to the left that heads down hill towards the edge of the common. Head down this track past Gorse bushes until you reach two benches side by side under a few trees, right on the edge of the common with a steep drop off in front of you.

Here you turn right and walk along the undulating grass and stone tracks, following it along the edge of the common.

Continue to follow this well defined track along the outside edge of the common with glorious views of Cheltenham and beyond, with the views on your left and the golf course to the right.

Continue to follow this track and the views of Bishops Cleeve and the Malvern Hills come back in to view. Keeping the views to your left, you can follow this track all the way back to the golf course and then retrace your steps back to the car park.

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