Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SECTION 11
Cleeve Hill to Winchcombe
6 ½miles (10 ½km)
Distance
Maps
Harvey's Cotswold Way 1:40,000 OS Landranger 163 Cheltenham
& Cirencester Area 1:50,000 OS Explorer 179 Gloucester, Chelten-
ham & Stroud, and OL45 The Cotswolds 1:25,000
Accommodation
Winchcombe
Refreshments
None until Winchcombe
The onward route continues the tour of Cleeve Common, a circuit that offers a con-
stantly changing series of panoramas - in good conditions, that is. In inclement weath-
er this high, exposed semi-moorland wears a very different face and, when the mists
are swirling, one needs to be able to use a map and compass. In season a vari-
ety of orchids may be found here, together with a rich summer population of butter-
flies. However, this is only one aspect of the walk, for away from Cleeve Common
there's once more an historic angle: Belas Knap is a splendid example of a Neolithic
chambered tomb of the Severn-Cotswold Group, and the way enters its walled enclos-
ure in order to give an opportunity to study it. Then there's the site of a Roman villa,
only 100 metres or so off the path, and shortly before entering Winchcombe you catch
sight of the 15th-century Sudeley Castle.
From Cleeve Hill the Cotswold Way leads round the northern edge of Cleeve Com-
mon, then cuts south over the 'empty' hinterland before drawing away again through a
vast, open agricultural landscape and entering the drystone-walled compound of Belas
Knap. Down then to Humblebee Woods, along a country lane, across the fields to Wad-
field Farm and from there over more fields to Winchcombe. It's an interesting, varied
walk, but with no opportunities for refreshment along the way.
See map,
Southbound, Section 3.
From the clear path near the golf clubhouse on Cleeve Common, follow the
waymark posts that lead to the right, away from any obvious path, to rise
over the golf course. On gaining a high point note the seat with a view,
then, shortly after, you'll be swooping down south-eastward to the edge
of a wall-enclosed woodland, with the Postlip Valley beyond.
Near the wood the path veers to the right and comes to a pond known as
the Washpool (probably a sheep-dip). Beyond this cross a narrow cleave
(dry valley) and climb its steep side on a stiff ascent heading south-east
again. The gradient eases and the path continues. There are many cross-
