| Cleeve Hill | |
|---|---|
 Cleeve Hill from the north | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 330 m (1,080 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 242 m (794 ft) |
| Parent peak | The Wrekin |
| Listing | Marilyn,County Top |
| Coordinates | 51°55′12″N2°00′25″W / 51.920°N 2.007°W /51.920; -2.007 |
| Geography | |
  Cleeve Hill Cleeve Hill in Gloucestershire | |
| Location | Gloucestershire,England |
| Parent range | Cotswolds |
| OS grid | SO996246 |
| Topo map | OSLandranger 163OSExplorer 179 |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Jurassic |
| Mountain type | Sedimentary |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Cleeve Hill (also known asCleeve Cloud) is the highest point both of theCotswolds hill range and of thecounty ofGloucestershire, at 330 m (1,080 ft).[1][2] It is located onCleeve Common, which is aSite of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) looked after by a small charity called Cleeve Common Trust (formally Cleeve Common Board of Conservators). It commands a clear view to the west, overCheltenham and theracecourse, over theRiver Severn and intoWales; and to the north overWinchcombe. It is a conspicuousoutcrop on the edge of thelimestoneescarpment, (sometimes called the "Cotswold Edge"). It is crossed by theCotswold Way footpath.
With the hill's south slopes draining to theRiver Coln, Cleeve Hill is the highest point in thedrainage basin of theRiver Thames.
The summit, at 330 m (1,080 ft), is an undistinguished point marked by atrig point on the relatively flat common south of the Hill.[1] Because of this, it does not offer particularly wide-ranging views. To the north by the northwest, another summit at 1,033 ft (315 m) high boasts atoposcope 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 (140 km) toWinsfordHill onExmoor,Somerset.
Close to the summit is theNeolithiclong barrow,Belas Knap. On its westernscarp is anIron Agehill fort.
The Hill bears one of the few rock faces in the area,Castle Rock, which is sound enough forrock climbing. The routes are short, difficult for their grade, and highly polished.
The Hill has been home to agolf course since 1891. The course was the location of the 2010 Wells Cup that took place in June of that year.[3]
Cleeve Common, which is sited on Cleeve Hill, is a designatedSite of Special Scientific Interest byNatural England.[4] It is recorded in theList of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire.
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 ofWhittington, Gloucestershire.
To the north and to reach the more favourable viewpoint, a minor road leads off the B4632 to the golf course where there is free parking in a disused quarry. From this area, 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.
Cleeve Hill has aSummits On The Air (SOTA) reference of G/CE-001[5]
Cleeve Cloud (1083ft) the highest point in the Cotswolds
