A shared vision for a thriving limestone landscape in the Cotswolds
Common Connections is a landscape-scale partnership led by Cotswolds National Landscape, in collaboration with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust to create a flourishing, connected landscape across the Cotswold escarpment.
- Connecting habitats across the Cotswolds: working across a 37km stretch of the escarpment from Cleeve Common to Coaley Peak, the project is linking species-rich grasslands, ancient woodlands, commons and farmland habitats to support wildlife recovery and climate resilience.
- Building a shared vision for nature recovery: Communities, farmers, landowners and conservation partners are working together to develop the knowledge, evidence and relationships needed to deliver long-term benefits for nature, climate resilience and local communities.
- Supporting the Big Chalk vision: Common Connections is helping to build a connected network of nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes across southern England.
Project description
The Cotswold escarpment is one of England's most important limestone landscapes. Shaped by its underlying geology, it supports species-rich grasslands, ancient woodlands and a wealth of wildlife. From Duke of Burgundy and Large Blue butterflies to Hazel Dormouse, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Juniper, the escarpment provides vital habitat for many rare and threatened species.
Over time, many of these habitats have become fragmented and isolated, making it harder for wildlife to move through the landscape and respond to environmental change.
Common Connections is identifying opportunities to reconnect and expand habitats across the landscape by restoring wildflower-rich grasslands, scrub, small naturally regenerating woodlands and other valuable habitat areas. Working closely with farmers, landowners, communities and partners, the project is combining local knowledge with ecological evidence to target activity where it can create the greatest long-term impact.
As part of this work, Common Connections will:
- Build and strengthen partnerships across the landscape.
- Work with communities to understand how people value and access the escarpment.
- Develop new opportunities for volunteering, learning and participation.
- Support wider nature recovery ambitions through the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
- Explore innovative approaches to managing and restoring species-rich grasslands, including grazing systems that can benefit wildlife while supporting sustainable farming businesses.
Alongside nature recovery, the project celebrates the escarpment's rich cultural heritage. From prehistoric monuments and Iron Age hillforts to dry-stone walls and historic quarries, the landscape reflects thousands of years of interaction between people and nature. Through volunteering, learning, citizen science and community engagement, Common Connections aims to strengthen these connections and help more people become involved in the future of the landscape.
Timescales
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Common Connections is currently developing the evidence, partnerships and shared vision needed to deliver lasting change across the Cotswold escarpment. This phase runs until August 2027.
Subject to further funding, the project will then progress into a detailed development phase from 2027/28 to 2029/30, followed by an eight-year delivery programme running from 2030 to 2038.
Project location
The project spans a 37km stretch of the Cotswold limestone escarpment, extending from Cleeve Common near Cheltenham to Coaley Peak near Stroud.
Today, the project area contains a rich mosaic of habitats including limestone grassland, ancient woodland, commons, farmland and valley landscapes. It also sits alongside significant population centres including Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud, creating opportunities to connect more people with nature and heritage.
Project partners
Collaboration sits at the heart of the project. Partners are working with organisations responsible for protecting the area's landscape, wildlife and heritage to ensure future activity enhances the special qualities of the escarpment. Any future delivery will be carefully designed to safeguard landscape character, wildlife sites and historic features, with appropriate consents sought where required.
- Lead organisation: Cotswolds National Landscape
- Partner organisations: Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust
Why it matters
The Cotswolds' species-rich limestone grasslands have declined dramatically over the last century. In the 1930s, they covered around 40% of the Cotswolds National Landscape.
Today, less than 1.5% remains, leaving many wildlife-rich habitats fragmented, isolated and increasingly vulnerable.
But there is an opportunity to reverse this decline.
Common Connections aims to help safeguard:
- Biodiversity: Supporting the plants, insects, birds and mammals that depend on connected habitats to survive and thrive.
- Climate resilience: Increasing the landscape's ability to store carbon and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- Soil and water health: Improving soil quality, reducing erosion and helping natural habitats absorb and slow the flow of water.
- Nature-friendly farming: Supporting sustainable land management that benefits both wildlife and local livelihoods.
- Heritage and wellbeing: Protecting the natural character of the Cotswolds and ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy its cultural, recreational and health benefits.
Contribution to Big Chalk Common
Common Connections contributes directly to the Big Chalk vision of creating nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes where wildlife and people can thrive together.
By restoring habitats, strengthening ecological networks and connecting more people with nature, the project is helping build a more connected future for chalk and limestone landscapes across southern England.
Do you have a project that could strengthen the future of southern England’s iconic chalk and limestone landscapes?
The Big Chalk programme brings together a dynamic suite of partner-led projects, each unique in its focus, area, and partnerships but sharing a commitment to our collective vision.
If your project contributes to the Big Chalk mission, we invite you to register it as a Big Chalk Project. Registered projects gain access to networking, shared learning, and best practice - alongside the Big Chalk brand, boosting your profile and connecting you to a powerful, growing network of partners.
Together, these projects form a united effort to secure the future of southern England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, making a lasting impact for nature and communities.