Cleeve Hill
| Cleeve Hill | |||
| Gloucestershire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Trig point on the northern part of Cleeve Hill | |||
| Range: | Cotswolds | ||
| Summit: | 1,083 feet SO996246 51°55’12"N, 2°0’26"W | ||
Cleeve Hill in Gloucestershire is the highest point both of the Cotswolds, though perched at the edge of those hills, and is also the county top of Gloucestershire, reaching 1,083 feet. It commands a clear view to the west, over Cheltenham and its racecourse, over the River Severn, and to the north over Winchcombe.
Cleeve Hill 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 1,083 feet, 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 1033 feetwith a toposcope and a trig-point, offering far wider views. On an exceptionally clear day the view extends 90 miles to Winsford Hill on Exmoor, in Somerset.
Taking the road up from Aggs Hill you can expect to see three tall radio masts situated 430 yards from the highest point (1,083 feet) 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. The course was the location of the 2010 Wells Cup that took place in June 2010.
Ascent
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 where 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. Ordnance Survey maps show all routes, paths and rights of way as well as the best viewpoints.
