Cley Hill, Corsley, near Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7QU
Cley Hill
Viewpoint
Place photograph
6.4
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
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Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.4A prominent chalk hill above Warminster, where an Iron Age hillfort, Bronze Age burial mounds and medieval strip lynchets share the slopes with botanically rich downland. From the summit, the view stretches across West Wiltshire and Somerset towards the Mendips.
Cley Hill brings together open chalk downland, seasonal wildflowers, a hillfort and far-reaching views in one climb. Its appeal is in reading the landscape as you go: ancient earthworks on the slopes, chalkland wildlife around you and a wide horizon from the top.
Dramatic · Big-sky · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapCley Hill, Corsley, near Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7QU
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The experience
Climb Cley Hill to explore its chalk downland and archaeological features, then take in the expansive views from the summit. The ground is uneven and can become slippery after rain, so check conditions and wear suitable footwear.
Things to do
Climb to the viewpoint
Follow the public footpath from the car park or approach via the Mid-Wilts Way for views across West Wiltshire and Somerset, reaching as far as the Mendips on a clear day.
Explore the hill’s archaeology
Look for the Iron Age hillfort, earlier Bronze Age burial mounds and medieval strip lynchets on the slopes.
Look for chalk grassland flowers and butterflies
The National Trust notes early gentian in May, orchids in June and autumn lady’s tresses in late summer. Horseshoe vetch in spring attracts the Adonis blue butterfly.
Watch for birds riding the thermals
Look above the hill for kestrels and red kites, which use the thermals; yellowhammer, linnet and goldfinch are among the farmland birds found in the hedges and scrub.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Check before visiting
Quick Escape: climb for the view
- 01
Start from the National Trust car park and follow the public footpath towards the hill.
- 02
Climb to the summit, allowing for uneven ground and the steps and stile on the route.
- 03
Take in the views across West Wiltshire and Somerset towards the Mendips, and look northeast for Little Cley Hill.
- 04
Return by the same access route.
Verified history
Cley Hill has an Iron Age hillfort and earlier Bronze Age burial mounds. Medieval strip lynchets are also present on the hill, recording later cultivation. Chalk was quarried on its south side in the 19th century to make lime mortar. The National Trust says the hill was once part of the Longleat estate and was entrusted to it by the 6th Marquess of Bath.
Folklore & legend
The National Trust describes Cley Hill as a locally famous UFO hotspot. This is reported as local reputation, not verified evidence of UFO sightings.
Hidden details
The hill’s ‘little brother’ — From the top, look northeast for Little Cley Hill, described by the National Trust as Cley Hill’s ‘little brother’.
Traces of later farming — The medieval strip lynchets are a reminder that the hill’s story extends beyond its prehistoric earthworks.
A 19th-century quarry — On the south side of the hill, look for the site of the quarry where chalk was dug to make lime mortar.
When to go
May · June · July · August · Choose a clear spell for the broadest views. The National Trust lists countryside access from dawn to dusk.
The chalk downland has a sequence of seasonal flowers: early gentian in May, orchids in June and autumn lady’s tresses in late summer. Spring horseshoe vetch attracts Adonis blue butterflies.
The routes can be muddy and slippery after rain. Uneven, unsurfaced ground makes suitable footwear advisable; distant views depend on visibility.
The route
- stiles
- A stile, steps and a kissing gate are noted on the routes.
- surface
- Unsurfaced and uneven; may be muddy and slippery after rain.
- difficulty
- Uneven, unsurfaced and rutted; can be muddy and slippery after rain.
- start point
- National Trust car park access or the Mid-Wilts Way; the Google Maps pin supplied is a main-place pin, not an entrance or parking pin.
- parking start
- Small National Trust car park with unmarked bays, approximately 350m from the base of the hill path. Check arrangements before travelling.
- Views across West Wiltshire and Somerset towards the Mendips
- Iron Age hillfort and Bronze Age burial mounds
- Medieval strip lynchets
- Seasonal chalk grassland flowers and butterflies
What to look for
- 01
Look for the Iron Age hillfort, earlier Bronze Age burial mounds and medieval strip lynchets. In spring, watch for early gentian and horseshoe vetch
- 02
orchids appear in June, and autumn lady’s tresses are a late-summer highlight. Look out for Adonis blue butterflies around the horseshoe vetch, and for kestrels and red kites using the hill’s thermals.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
May to late summer for seasonal chalk grassland flowers and butterfly activity; views can be rewarding year-round.
May and June bring early gentian and orchids; late summer is the time to look for autumn lady’s tresses. Visit in clear weather for the broadest views towards the Mendips.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
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Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
National Trust lists the countryside as open from dawn to dusk. Reach the hill by public footpath from the car park or via the Mid-Wilts Way. Routes are unsurfaced, rutted and uneven, and may be muddy or slippery after rain; the approach includes a kissing gate, steps and a stile. Check current conditions before visiting.
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Parking
The National Trust describes a small car park with unmarked bays, about 350m from the base of the hill path. Check parking arrangements before travelling.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Not described as wheelchair accessible. The routes are unsurfaced, rutted and uneven, with steps, a stile and a kissing gate; they can be muddy and slippery after rain.
Cost
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Cley Hill
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
