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Rodborough Common, grazing cattle, Gloucestershire
Cattle grazing at Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire | © National Trust / Richard Evans
Gloucestershire & the Cotswolds

Rodborough Fort walk

This easy 1-mile walk takes you around Rodborough Fort and over limestone grassland with far-reaching views of the Gloucestershire countryside. The grassland is an area of European significance and if you visit during the summer months, look out for the orchids and butterflies that make their home here.

Total steps: 5

Total steps: 5

Start point

Rodborough Common car park, grid ref: SO851040

Step 1

From the lower section of the car park, follow the driveway up to the fort. When you reach the fort gates, turn right and walk along the track, keeping the wall to your left. As you follow this round, you come into open ground with views of Randwick Woods, Doverow Hill and the River Severn.

Step 2

Continue along this path, with the fort to your left, until you reach a seat (a memorial to Frank George Tirel). Take the right fork on the path. Continue along this path, cross a track passing almost at a right angle to your own, until you see a clump of trees on your left with a seat in the centre and a memorial to Lord Baden-Powell.

Pyramidal orchid at Croome
A pyramidal orchid | © National Trust/Katherine Alker

Step 3

Turn left and go through the trees, on a path at 90 degrees to your previous path. Note the old hollowed-out beech tree on your left as you walk. Keep to this track until you see a car park in front of you, at which you will be rewarded with views over the Chalford Valley.

Duke of Burgundy butterfly at Rodbourgh Common in Gloucestershire
Duke of Burgundy butterfly at Rodbourgh Common, Gloucestershire | © National Trust / Richard Evans

Step 4

When you see a car park, turn left and head back towards the fort. Keep the road on your right (not too close) and the fort on your left and you will reach the car park at which you started the walk.

Step 5

The final steps to return to your car are down a very steep path or quite steep steps, over the rim of an old quarry.

End point

Rodborough Common car park, grid ref: SO851040

Trail map

Rodborough Fort walk route map
Rodborough Fort walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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near Stroud, Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire

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