Minchinhampton Common

Rolling hills and open spaces above the Stroud Valleys and Severn estuary. Minchinhampton Common is a large swathe of open grassland on the hill top and slopes of the Cotswold escarpment. It is a really important archaeological landscape, with prehistoric field systems, burial mounds and the remains of a defensive earthwork, known as The Bulwarks. In the summer the common is grazed by local commoners' cattle.

Rodborough Common also lies just to the north of Minchinhampton Common and offers a dramatic panorama overlooking Stroud and the Severn Vale. It is renowned for its colourful array of wild flowers and butterflies, starting with the pasque flower in spring and a superb display of early purple orchids in May.

Facilities

• Toilets - in Minchinhampton and in several pubs on the edges of the Commons (for customers)

• Picnic areas - great spots to enjoy a picnic, but no picnic tables. Please remember to take your rubbish home with you

• The historic Winstones Ice Cream Factory is situated on Rodborough Common and is open all year. There are often ice cream vans at Reservoir car park during the summer months

• Pubs - several pubs on the edge of the Commons

• Dogs are welcome, but please ensure they are kept under close control near livestock

• The Commons are grazed by cattle and horses. Please take care when walking and driving across the Common

Open daily dawn until dusk

• Mobility parking - no designated spaces, but the Reservoir car park at Minchinhampton Common is on level ground. The adjoining land is accessible for wheelchairs and offers great far-reaching views

• Pathways - both commons consist of fairly flat grassland, with some naturally uneven gravel paths crossing them. They can become boggy in wet weather. Rodborough Common has steeper gradients and rougher terrain

• Benches - situated at viewpoints on both Commons

The Commons are sandwiched between A46 (Stroud-Nailsworth-Bath) and A419 (Stroud-Cirencester-Swindon). Quiet lanes lead uphill from these roads. 6 miles from junction 13 on the M5.