5 of the best sunset views in the Cotswolds
If you’ve been following us for a while over on instagram, you’ll know I’m a real sucker for a good sunset! And if there’s one thing we’re blessed with in The Cotswolds, it’s a lot of west facing hills that make for perfect sunset viewpoints.
Here’s a few of our favourite spots to watch a sunset (it’s worth noting that we’re based in Cheltenham so a lot of these locations are fairly close to us!)
Cleeve Hill
Cleeve Hill is home to the highest point in The Cotswolds, so as you’d expect the views are quite honestly stunning. On a clear day you can see as far as the Welsh mountains and the common is so huge that it never feels too busy. Read more about Cleeve Common here.
Prestbury Butterfly Reserve
Neighbouring Cleeve Hill (you can just see the ‘lone tree’ in the distance on the above photo), Prestbury Butterfly Reserve is a brilliant choice for a sunset dog walk when sheep are on the common (roughly May to end October). It’s never busy and offers fabulous views down to Prestbury, Cheltenham racecourse and over to the Malverns.
Leckhampton Hill
Benefitting from stunning views over Cheltenham, Leckhampton Hill is a sunset favourite amongst locals, with a couple of easy routes to the summit and plenty of perfect spots to sit. There is also a wheelchair accessible circuit that has been created from the public car park near Hill Farm. Another bonus is that it’s sheep free all year round!
Barrow Wake
Probably the lowest effort sunset spot in the list (you can literally get out of your car and walk straight into the view) so it can be a little busier but there’s a lovely circular route to get away from people. Find this detailed in our post on our favourite walks in The Cotswolds.
Broadway Tower
Broadway Tower sits at the second highest point of the Cotswolds so unsurprisingly offers spectacular views, especially at sunset. It’s also set within a 50 acre estate of parkland and is conveniently located on the Cotswold Way walking route. We’ve included a route in our Cotswold dog walks post here.
Haresfield Beacon
Haresfield Beacon offers views for miles across the surrounding countryside, over the Severn estuary towards the Forest of Dean and Brecon Beacons. We love doing the Bruce Friendship Trail walk and trying to time our return to Haresfield Beacon at sunset, when it’s much quieter.
Cam Peak
Lovely at all times of year but particularly during bluebell season in April/May when the whole hill is covered in bluebells. Extend your walk along the Cotswold Way over to Cam Long Down for a nice short walk.
There are plenty more Cotswolds sunset spots that we’d like to visit, so check back on this point and we may well add some more favourites in the future!
Thanks for reading,
Cara, Andy, Poppy & Maple x