Cotswold Little Explorers

1.6 k / 1 mile

HIGHLIGHTS: Spot wildflowers and butterflies on the beautiful Rodborough Common, perfect for younger children with its gently undulating terrain and wide grassy hillside, taking in lovely view over the Stroud valley and Severn estuary.

PARKING: National Trust Car Park, GL5 5BN.

EAT/ DRINK: Bring your own snacks and drinks. Nearby, you can try Winstone’s Ice Cream (Rodborough Common, GL5 5BX) or the Bear of Rodborough Pub (Rodborough Common, GL5 5DE)

FACILITIES: No public facilities. Nearest public toilets are in Stroud.

DOGS: Yes, on leads around livestock.

ACCESSIBILITY: The trail follows uneven tracks and then opens up on to a grassy hillside. There are steps and uneven ground making access for pushchairs and wheelchairs challenging.

STEP BY STEP:

Leave the car park and follow the stone track across the common. When you reach two hollows either side of the trail, bear left and follow the grassy track, with the walls of a private estate on your left hand side.

Head straight ahead until you see a bench with stone pillars. Turn right here, heading towards some pine trees. You can see plenty of wildflowers here along the route in the summer.

Pass the property with pine trees and black gate, this will be on your left. Continue to follow the well worn trail taking in the magnificent views all around you.

The trail will lead you to a clump of trees near an old quarry, here you keep to the trail following the stony and grassy path all the way back to the car park.

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