Clyffe Pypard Hill

Rising steeply above its namesake village, this prominent escarpment offers a sharp contrast to the clay vales below. The climb through the wooded ‘hangings’ leads to a panoramic crest, revealing wide perspectives across the Vale of Dauntsey towards the southern fringes of the Cotswold Hills.

• •The name is a hybrid of Old English and medieval history; 'clif' refers to the steep limestone escarpment, while 'Pypard' was the surname of the family granted the manor here in the 13th century.
• •The hill is famous for 'Clyffe Hanging', a distinctive belt of ancient woodland that clings to the steep scarp face, providing a rich habitat for bluebells and orchids beneath a dense beech canopy.
• •From the summit ridge, the view extends northwest across the flat Dauntsey Vale, with the distant profile of the Malvern Hills often visible on the horizon during clear weather.
• •While the height might not trouble a mountaineer, the 'clif' in the name is a fair warning that the local gradient has no interest in gentle introductions.