What is Marking Day on Minchinhampton Common?

Marking Day is the day when the cows are brought from the overwintering fields and sheds and released back onto the Minchinhampton Common to roam and graze.

It is believed that the name comes from when livestock owners would gather with their animals beside The Old Lodge on Minchinhampton Common where each cow would be tagged, or marked, for identification before being released.

Hence the name Marking Day. It usually takes place in May.