The Cleeve Common Code

Did you know that we receive no core funding and are reliant on private donations and grants for conservation of the SSSI?

We offer a 24/7 Ranger service that is often utilised by all visitors including mountain bikers, horse riders, and dog walkers in times of emergency. We get no funding to carry out this service.

Our ranger checks all the gates daily, ensuring they are easy for people to use, and responds to call outs when people forget to close them and livestock escape.

Having so many visitors enjoying Cleeve Common is a costly exercise for our charity. If you are able to support our work with a financial contribution of any size, you will be ensuring Cleeve Common remains the special place it is today, and open for future generations of visitors and cyclists to enjoy.

Please keep us informed if you see something untoward while out biking, riding or walking.

The impact of all recreational activities is monitored and the Trust retains the right to amend/add to these Codes of Conduct at any time.

Our over arching Cleeve Common Code is here

Below you will find specific codes for Cycling, Horse riding, Walking a dog and Walking a dog commercially.

Canine Code

Cyclists’ Code

Cleeve Common is a wonderful place to mountain bike. It offers numerous and varied tracks and, of course, magnificent views in a peaceful setting. You should however be aware that the fragile habitats of the Common are protected by law as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Common is privately owned land that is managed and regulated by a Registered Charity, the Cleeve Common Trust, which was established by Act of Parliament in 1890.

What right of access is there for cyclists on Cleeve Common?

The 1890 Act of Parliament and latterly the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) gives the ‘right to roam’ anywhere on the Common, but only on foot. Aside from the bridleways/byways, there is no statutory access for cyclists on the Common.

Elsewhere, permissive access, on established tracks only, is granted by the Cleeve Common Trust to those who sign up to and adhere to the Code of Conduct. We welcome those cyclists to enjoy the Common sensitively for many years to come.

Cyclists’ Code of Conduct

You can help us to conserve Cleeve Common, protecting this fantastic resource today and for future generations. Please note that the code of conduct is advisory and is not enforced by law; the only statutory access for cyclists is on public bridleways.

Where can I cycle?

Permissive access for cyclists is granted on established tracks only. Creation of new tracks will fragment the habitats on the Common and can disturb the wildlife. Please help us to prevent erosion and to maintain the valuable habitats on the Common.

·         Do not cycle on soft or narrow grass tracks.

·         Please be extra cautious in wet weather to prevent erosion. If tracks are muddy or churned up seek an alternative route.

·         Please help us prevent new tracks forming by not cutting through areas of vegetation.

·         NEVER construct jumps. Digging/moving earth on a SSSI is an offence.

·         Minimise disturbance over patches of scree, piles of spoil or bare rock – there are very rare species living in these habitats; some of which are critically endangered (e.g. Limestone fern and musk orchid).

·         Never ride over lumpy, grassy areas of old quarry spoil – there are very rare species living in these habitats and their range is very restricted over the Common.

·         Be mindful of livestock. Give animals the chance to get out of your way and always close the gates behind you, ensuring that they latch properly.

·         Always give way to horse-riders, walkers and runners. Be mindful of golfers. Please pass horses at a walking pace and if the horse looks startled please offer to get off your bike. Use a bell or polite verbal warning to let walkers know you are approaching.

·         Please observe the minimum impact code: leave things as you find them and take only photographs and please take any litter home with you.

Where is cycling not permitted?

Permissive access is not granted in the following areas.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments (Shown in orange on the map)

These archaeological monuments are nationally important and are legally protected from damage. Erosion can threaten the integrity of the Monuments and can be very expensive to repair. Please help us to prevent erosion of these monuments.

• Cycling is not permitted on the Monuments

• You can cross the Monuments where there is a surfaced, limestone track but do not cycle over grassed areas where there is no established track and please be extra careful in wet conditions.

Highly sensitive wildlife areas (Shown in red on the map)

• These areas of the Common are particularly ecologically sensitive, owing to the large number of rare and critically endangered species which occur here.

• Permissive access is only granted in these areas to cyclists riding in single file.

• Keep strictly to established tracks.

• Please ride down the middle of tracks, as rare plants tend to grow along the edges.

• Do not cycle over scree or spoil piles or bare/shingly earth.

The Golf Course (Shown in yellow on the map)

• Please help us to make space for everybody to enjoy the Common. Cycling is not permitted on the golf course

• You can cross the golf course where there is a wide, established track but never cross the fairways, greens or tees.

 Look after yourself

• You are strongly advised to have valid third party insurance when visiting the Common.

• Please always carry a phone with the Ranger number programmed in: 07756 828 458.

• Remember to wear a cycle helmet which conforms to recognised safety standards.

• In the event of a serious accident or emergency always dial 999 first. Then call the Ranger phone number, as the Rangers can help the emergency services with directions and off-road vehicles.

Horse Riders’ Code

Horse Riders’ Code of Conduct

In applying for a licence, you are signing up to abide by the Cleeve Common Horse Riders’ Code:

Display your hacking licence tag whenever you ride on the Common, either on the nearside of the bridle or a nearside ring on the back of the saddle.

Avoid 'no-go zones'

the Golf Course greens, tees and fairways.

the Hill Fort above Nutterswood; this is a Scheduled Ancient Monument which we are legally obliged to protect.

ecologically fragile area (scroll up for supporting map) where many of our rarest plants and animals live on the thin soils.

Please ride slowly, in single file on the centre of firm, established tracks only.

Minimize the impact: in wet conditions avoid fast work and keep to the middle of established tracks to reduce damage or erosion. Do not make new tracks. Do not ride through rough grassland.

Take care near livestock: grazing sheep and cattle are essential to maintain the natural limestone grassland. Ride past slowly to avoid disturbance. Always close gates behind you to avoid livestock escaping (most are self-closing, but please check that they latch).

Respect other users of the Common: ride with courtesy and consideration for other visitors. Pass at a walk or steady trot, do not canter in fog. Politely alert kite flyers as you approach.

Follow the rules: licence holders must obey any signs or requests from Rangers.

Adders: an attack on a horse is most unlikely, but to avoid, keep to the tracks. Adders are timid, protected, rare creatures; they only bite if threatened. Most incidents are in spring and summer.

Emergencies: Call 999 or 112 first, then the Ranger: 07756 828 458

Commercial Dog Walkers’ Code

Drone Policy

This code is additional to the Canine Code, which we ask any dog walker, commercial or otherwise, to follow when walking dogs on Cleeve Common. It has been drawn up in consultation with local professional dog walkers and the national body, the Professional Dog Walkers Association.

Regarding Dogs in your care:

Maximum number of dogs

No more than SIX dogs to be walked in one group.

One of the most frequent complaints on Cleeve Common is about packs of dogs, which some visitors find intimidating. It is not possible to have close control of more than six dogs at any one time. Six dogs is recognised as the maximum number of dogs one person can manage by many other land owners who issue dog walking licences.

If two walkers meet up to walk together, the total number of dogs in the combined group must not exceed six.

Dogs on leads in car parks

All dogs must exit vehicles on leads and be walked away from the parking area before being let off the lead. All dogs must return to vehicles on the lead.

Controlling multiple dogs around vehicles is very important for the safety of the dogs, and other people using the busy parking areas. It is also impossible to keep an eye on multiple dogs at once.

Most dogs will toilet within the first few minutes of their walk. It is therefore essential to be able to keep an eye on them all at the same time to ensure all dog waste is bagged and binned.

It is not acceptable to simply not see a dog messing.

Managing dog behaviour

Dogs that show aggressive tendencies should be muzzled and under control, whether by instant recall or on the lead.

All dogs must be kept under proper control in line with the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) . All commercial dog walkers should be aware of the content within the Act, specifically taking note that if the dog(s) cause(s) worry to someone so that they may be injured, then the dog is considered to be dangerous.

Dogs in vehicles

There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable to leave dogs unattended in vehicles. All dogs must be transported in a safe and secure manner, with adequate ventilation and water. If dogs are found left in vehicles, the RSPCA will be contacted immediately, and the police will be called at the first signs of the dog being in distress, this includes continuous barking. Dogs should be secured safely when travelling in vehicles.

Dog identification

All dogs should have clear contact details of the company or person who is providing the dog walking service. All dogs should have a correctly fitting collar and ID tag and must be microchipped as required by law.

In addition, all licensed walkers should:

• Carry the Rangers’ phone number in their mobile contacts to enable them to call for emergency assistance, or to alert them to other illegal activity on the Common.

• Register their up-to-date vehicle number plates on our membership database here

• Wear their personal licence on the lanyard provided on the outside of their clothes to allow Cleeve Common staff and volunteers to see from a distance if walkers are licensed.

• Carry more than enough dog poo bags for their charges.

• Not advertise their business on Cleeve Common. This includes distributing flyers, business cards, stickers or putting up posters or any other forms of promotion.

• Park only in designated parking areas, and nowhere else on the Common.

Cleeve Common is private land. It is managed by a charity, Cleeve Common Trust, An Act of Parliament of 1890 appointed conservators to regulate activities on the Common and gave them wide powers to determine what activities can and cannot take place.

The Trust’s policy on recreation is to permit lawful activities provided that they do not damage habitats or wildlife, interfere with grazing livestock, or pose a risk or nuisance to other visitors.

Policy - The flying of drones from Cleeve Common is not permitted, except with prior written authorization from Cleeve Common Trust.

.  The reasons for this are:

·       Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations state that drones should not be flown above or near to people. The Common is open access land and large numbers of people visit over its entire area.  Flying drones potentially puts other visitors at risk.

·       Drones can worry livestock, causing them unnecessary stress.

·       Cleeve Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Nature Conservation Area. Drones may alarm or distress wildlife found here, in particular birds.

·       The presence of drones can impinge on the peaceful enjoyment of the Common by other visitors and therefore potentially presents a public nuisance risk. 

·       Many drones have cameras attached to them and could infringe privacy laws, for example filming people without permission.

·       Few non-commercial users have the correct training or permission from the CAA to operate drones. If a drone causes damage or harm, pilots are unlikely to have the necessary insurances to compensate those affected.

The Trust may however commission or permit occasional drone flights to support the management of the Common. We may also grant permission for commercial drone filming by established professional production companies, subject to a location licence being agreed.