Celebration of Marking Day on Minchinhampton Common
Celebrate Marking Day and the wonderful Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons with us and our partners
- Booking not needed
- Free event
Every spring, a much‑loved tradition returns to Minchinhampton and Stroud: Marking Day, the moment the cows come back to graze the commons and help keep these wildlife‑rich landscapes thriving.
Join us on Saturday 16 May—just three days after the cows’ official return—for a free joyful community celebration of the land, the grazing, and the people who care for it.
Celebrate the cows, people and wildlife such as skylarks and butterflies which make Minchinhampton and Rodborough commons special.
What to expect: - Free, hands‑on family crafts inspired by life on the commons - Guided walks revealing what makes these grasslands so special - Stalls from organisations working to protect and champion the commons
Bring your curiosity, your family, and your love for this remarkable landscape to celebrate the cows, the commons, and the community that keeps them flourishing.
This event is delivered with the support of the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons Advisory Committee.
Times
The basics
- Suitability
Children welcome and encouraged.
- Meeting point
Old Lodge, Minchinhampton Post code: GL6 9AQ
- What to bring and wear
Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the outdoors.
- Accessibility
The event is hosted outside, with walks being led on areas with uneven, but mostly flat, grass. There are no steps into the garden. Food and drink is available in Old Lodge. For more information visit https://www.food-club.com/pubs/the-old-lodge/ Parking is available at Old Lodge and nearby at Minchinhampton reservoir. There are no designated disabled parking bays.
- Other
This event is free.
Upcoming events
MRCAC Present: A Talk about Your Commons
Join MRCAC and the National Trust for talks from Professor Chris Short, Chair of the Foundation for Common Land and MRCAC Vice-Chair Dr Sharon Gardham