Cleeve Hill

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Cleeve Hill
The trig point on the northern part of Cleeve Hill at SO985263. There is also a toposcope at this location
Elevation	330 m (1,083 ft)
Location	Gloucestershire, England
Range	Cotswolds
Prominence	242 m
Parent peak	The Wrekin
Coordinates	51.91992° N 2.00722° W
Topo map	OS Landranger 163 OS Explorer 179
Type	Sedimentary
Age of rock	Jurassic
Easiest route	Hike
OS grid reference	SO996246
Listing	Marilyn, County Top

Cleeve Hill is the highest point both in the Cotswolds and in the county of Gloucestershire, at 330 metres (1083 feet). It commands a clear view to the west, over Cheltenham and the racecourse, over the River Severn and into Wales; and to the north over Winchcombe. It is a conspicuous outcrop on the edge of the limestone escarpment, (sometimes called the 'Cotswold Edge'). It is crossed by the Cotswold Way footpath.

The summit, at 330m, is a nondescript point marked by a trig point on the relatively flat common south of the Hill. Because of this, it does not offer particularly wide-ranging views. To the North by north-west, another summit at 315m high boasts a toposcope and a trig-point, offering far wider views. On an exceptionally clear day (for example a sunny day following a day of rain in spring or early summer), the view extends an impressive 90 miles to Winsford Hill on Exmoor, Somerset.

Easiest routes up the hill:

To reach the highest point from the south, a road for car access ends very close to the summit trig point, which is a short walk from the parking area. This can be reached from Cheltenham via Ham Hill and Aggs Hill, or from the village of Whittington, Gloucestershire.

To the north and to reach the more favourable view point, a minor road leads off the B4632 to the golf course and there is free parking in a disused quarry. From this point, the viewpoint is roughly a half-mile ascent on foot.

There are numerous other ways to reach the hill, and there is a well-maintained network of paths and tracks crossing it in many directions - the Ordnance Survey map will show all routes, paths and rights of way as well as the best viewpoints.

Taking the road up from Aggs Hill you can expect to see three tall radio masts situated 150 metres from the highest point (330m) above sea level.

Close to the summit is the Neolithic long barrow, Belas Knap. On its western scarp is an Iron Age hill fort.

The Hill bears one of the few rock faces in the area, Castle Rock, which is sound enough for rock-climbing. The routes are short, difficult for their grade and highly polished.

The Hill has been home to a golf course since 1891.