Dover’s Hill

Dover’s Hill was the site of the original English Olympic Games, which began here 400 years ago in 1612. The tradition continues with the annual Cotswold Olimpicks – a fun-packed day for all ages.

Of course, there’s much more to this historical amphitheatre than just fun and games. This mixture of grassland and woodland includes the site of a Roman vineyard and is also home to a variety of birds, insects and wild flowers.

Climb to the top of Dover’s Hill for to take in far-reaching views of the rolling countryside. Standing at 230 metres above sea level, the hill is a feature of the North Cotswold escarpment near the town of Chipping Campden.

The lower slopes of the hill indicate past Roman activity and are now wooded with native trees such as sweet chestnut and larch.

Dover’s Hill is the first or last place encountered by people walking the Cotswold Way. Even if you’re not ready to walk quite such a long distance, you can take a shorter stroll (Chipping Campden To Dover’s Hill Walk) through the large open fields and woodland here.

The area is also popular with walkers from the surrounding towns of Chipping Campden, Broadway, Weston Sub Edge and Evesham.

Dover’s Hill and the surrounding land is the property of The National Trust.

Images; National Trust – Sarah Davis, Kate Groome