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Dover's Hill

A natural amphitheatre in the Cotswolds with panoramic views and the historic site of the Cotswold Olimpicks, perfect for walking and countryside vistas.

4.7

Perched on a Cotswold spur near Chipping Campden, Dover’s Hill is a natural amphitheatre with sweeping views over the Vale of Evesham and beyond. Managed by the National Trust, this open grassland offers panoramic vistas, a historic toposcope, and the site of the original Cotswold Olimpicks. A short, level path leads to the main viewpoint, while longer trails wind through fields and Lynches Wood, carpeted with bluebells in spring. It’s a peaceful spot for walking, picnicking, and soaking in the beauty of the Cotswolds.

A brief summary to National Trust - Dover's Hill

  • Chipping Campden, Weston Subedge, GL55 6UW, GB
  • +441451844257
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Wear sturdy shoes, especially after rain, as paths can be muddy and uneven in places.
  • Bring binoculars to pick out distant landmarks like the Black Mountains and Long Mynd on clear days.
  • Visit in spring to see bluebells in Lynches Wood and enjoy the hill’s wildflowers and fresh green grass.
  • Check the National Trust website for the annual Cotswold Olimpicks if you want to experience the historic games and festival atmosphere.
  • Dogs must be kept on leads due to grazing sheep; bring a lead and clean up after your pet.
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Getting There

  • By car

    From Chipping Campden, follow signs for Weston Subedge and then Dover’s Hill. The drive takes about 5 minutes on narrow country lanes. Parking is available at the National Trust car park with pay-by-app charges of around £1–£4 depending on length of stay; National Trust members can park for free after validating membership on the app.

  • On foot

    A popular walking route starts in Chipping Campden and follows footpaths and quiet lanes to Dover’s Hill, taking about 1.5–2 hours for a 6–7 km loop. The path includes grass and dirt tracks, some steeper sections, and a short stretch along a quiet road, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

  • By public transport

    The nearest train station is Moreton-in-Marsh, about 10 km away. From there, a local bus or taxi can take you to Chipping Campden, and then a walk of around 4–5 km leads to Dover’s Hill. Bus services are infrequent, so check timetables in advance and allow extra time for connections.

  • By bicycle

    Cyclists can reach Dover’s Hill via quiet country lanes from Chipping Campden or nearby villages. The route includes some steep climbs and narrow roads, so it’s best suited to confident riders. Bikes can be left at the car park, but there are no dedicated cycle facilities on the hill itself.

National Trust - Dover's Hill location weather suitability

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  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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A Natural Amphitheatre in the Cotswolds

Rising 230 metres above sea level, Dover’s Hill forms a dramatic natural bowl on the Cotswold scarp, just a mile northwest of Chipping Campden. This open grassy ridge, managed by the National Trust, feels like a stage set into the landscape, with gentle slopes falling away to reveal the Vale of Evesham and the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. From the top, the view stretches for miles, taking in distant landmarks like the Black Mountains in South Wales and the Long Mynd in Shropshire. A trig point and a toposcope help orient visitors, pointing out towns, hills, and rivers visible on a clear day. The hill’s shape and elevation make it a natural gathering place, and for centuries it has drawn people for sport, celebration, and quiet contemplation. Today, it remains a place of wide skies and open space, where the only sounds are the wind, birdsong, and the occasional bleat of sheep grazing nearby. The grassland is rich in wildflowers in spring and summer, and the changing light at dawn and dusk paints the landscape in soft gold and deep shadow.

Home of the Cotswold Olimpicks

Dover’s Hill is best known as the birthplace of the Cotswold Olimpicks, a lively festival of traditional games first organised by Robert Dover in 1612. These early English games, held on the hill for centuries, included wrestling, horse racing, and other rural sports, and are considered a precursor to the modern Olympic Games. A 1934 monument on the hill commemorates Robert Dover and this unique sporting heritage. The tradition continues today with the annual Cotswold Olimpicks, a colourful, family-friendly event that brings crowds to the hill for a day of games, music, and pageantry. Even outside the festival, the hill retains a sense of history and pageantry. Standing on the grassy amphitheatre, it is easy to imagine the crowds and competitions of past centuries. The site also has older layers of history, including traces of a Roman vineyard and ancient field systems, adding depth to its story as a place of human activity for hundreds of years.

Walking and Views for All

Access to the main viewpoint is straightforward, with a level, hard-surfaced path from the car park suitable for most visitors, including those with mobility aids. From here, the view opens up across the Vale of Evesham, with Chipping Campden’s rooftops visible in the distance. For those wanting more, a network of public footpaths leads across the hill and into Lynches Wood, a small woodland that is especially beautiful in spring when bluebells carpet the ground. Shorter walks loop around the top of the hill, while longer routes connect to the Cotswold Way and nearby fields, offering a mix of grass, dirt paths, and stony tracks. These can be muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads due to grazing livestock, and the hill is a popular spot for dog walkers and families looking for a scenic, manageable outing in the countryside.

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