Things to do · Winchcombe
Belas Knap Long Barrow
A Neolithic long barrow on the hill above Winchcombe, with a false entrance and side chambers, free to visit and on the Cotswold Way.
Walker-friendly
One of the best walks from Winchcombe ends here. Go on foot from the town on the 5.5-mile circuit, or climb the half mile from the lane; either way, wear boots.
- Good: Free, open in daylight all year
- Good: On the Cotswold Way from Winchcombe
- Worth knowing: Steep climb of just over half a mile from the lay-by, with two stiles
- Worth knowing: Sheep graze: dogs on leads
- Worth knowing: No toilets or café; the nearest are in Winchcombe
- Worth knowing: Small lay-by with limited parking
About
Belas Knap is a Neolithic long barrow on the hill south of Winchcombe, built around 3000 BC. The mound has a false entrance at its north end and four burial chambers opening from its sides. When it was explored between 1863 and 1865 the remains of 31 people were found in the chambers, and Roman pottery showed it was still open in Roman times. Emma Dent of Sudeley restored it afterwards, and it was rebuilt again after a dig in 1928 to 1930. It is in English Heritage's care, managed by Gloucestershire County Council.
It is free and open in daylight all year. From the lay-by on the lane it is just over half a mile on foot, with a steep climb through woods and fields, two stiles and a kissing gate. Sheep graze around it, so keep dogs on leads. There are no toilets or refreshments; the nearest are in Winchcombe. It is on the Cotswold Way, and our walk from Winchcombe to Belas Knap and the longer circuit over Cleeve Common both pass it.
Opening hours and season
Open at any reasonable time in daylight, every day of the year.
Facilities
- Lay-by parkingLimited spaces on the lane, just over half a mile below
- Dogs on leadsSheep graze the fields on the way
The details
- History
- Built around 3000 BC
- Parking
- Limited parking in a lay-by on the lane; the footpath starts across the road.
- Without a car
- Stagecoach West's W runs Cheltenham to Winchcombe about hourly, Monday to Saturday, no Sunday bus; then a steep climb on the Cotswold Way. Cheltenham Spa station is about 9 miles by road.
Photos
A side chamber Photo: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
Belas Knap from the air 
Chamber B Photo: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
The barrow inside its wall Photo: ian freeman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Location
Places to stay nearby
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Sudeley Castle Cottages
Self-catering · Winchcombe
Nineteen holiday cottages on the Sudeley Castle estate at Winchcombe, sleeping three to fourteen, some dog-friendly, with free castle entry in season.
Dog-friendly
Verified Nov 2026
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The White Hart Inn
Inn · Winchcombe
An inn with sixteen rooms on Winchcombe's High Street, with dog-friendly rooms and a restaurant and bar open all day to non-residents.
Dog-friendly · Wedding venues · Walker-friendly
Verified Nov 2026
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The Lion Inn
Inn · Winchcombe
A restored fifteenth-century coaching inn on North Street, Winchcombe, with nine rooms, run by Butcombe.
Dog-friendly · Walker-friendly
Verified Oct 2026
Nearby walks, places and things to do
- Sudeley Castle Cottages 2.8 km away
- Sudeley Castle and Gardens 2.8 km away
- The White Hart Inn 2.9 km away
- Winchcombe Museum 2.9 km away
Sights nearby
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Tithe barn, Postlip
Sight · Historic building · Winchcombe
The tithe barn at Postlip is an eight-bay stone barn, probably of the fifteenth century, below Cleeve Common near Winchcombe, with raised crucks inside, said to have dried the town's tobacco in the 1600s and home every July to the Cotswold Beer Festival.
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St James' Chapel, Postlip
Sight · Church · Winchcombe
St James' Chapel is a small Norman chapel of about 1140 beside Postlip Hall below Cleeve Common, with a chevron-carved doorway, used as a farm building for centuries and restored for Catholic worship in 1891. Grade I; seen from the Cotswold Way.
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River Isbourne
Sight · River · Winchcombe
The River Isbourne rises at a spring on Cleeve Hill above Winchcombe and runs north past Postlip, Winchcombe, Toddington and Sedgeberrow to join the Avon at Evesham. A waymarked path of some 14 miles, the Isbourne Way, follows it.
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Vineyard Bridge, Winchcombe
Sight · Bridge · Winchcombe
Vineyard Bridge is the single stone arch of 1891 that carries Vineyard Street over the River Isbourne in Winchcombe, the last work in the town of the architect J. Drayton Wyatt and the way to Sudeley Castle. Listed Grade II.