Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SECTION 10
Dowdeswell (A40) to Cleeve Hill
Distance
6 miles (9½km)
Maps
Harvey's Cotswold Way 1:40,000
OS Landranger 163 Cheltenham & Cirencester
Area 1:50,000
OS Explorer 179 Gloucester, Cheltenham & Stroud 1:25,000
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 numer-
ous 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 strenu-
ous 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
