"Return to the Hill"

By Jenny Griffiths 

Return to the Hill Project Officer

Robinswood Hill has long been a haven for both wildlife and local communities in Gloucester. Spring 2021 marks the launch of our two year National Lottery Heritage Funded project ‘Return to the Hill’. 

Because nature is for everyone

‘Return to the Hill’ is a partnership with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and Gloucester City Council to meet three large aims:

1. Memories - Collecting stories and memories of Robinswood Hill from local people for a permanent exhibition in our new building, celebrating why it is so special to the community.
2. Accessibility – Assessing and maintaining pushchair and wheelchair friendly paths on the hill so that everyone can enjoy nature. From when our Welcome Centre re-opens in May*, we will have an all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter for hire for those who can’t walk so far.
3. Diversity – We are planning a programme of cultural heritage events to ensure all our different communities locally feel Robinswood Hill is a place they can enjoy. We also hope to recruit some volunteers to help us learn how to broaden our reach for underserved communities.

Find out more by watching our exciting new launch video:

Lots of people don’t realise how close this nature reserve is to their doorstep. It is walking distance from Matson, White City, Tuffley, Podsmead and Robinswood. The number 9 bus comes from the city centre along Tredworth road and stops 5 mins away at St Barnabus Church. We have public toilets open all day, and so many different paths and entrances even the staff haven’t been on them all!

​We have a playground area for children, the Quarry that has goats keeping it tidy, and ponds full of wildlife. It’s a great place to exercise, have a picnic, build a den, or hunt for minibeasts and fungi in the woods. If you’re feeling energetic you can climb to the top for 360-degree views from the Beacon across to the Severn Bridge in the South, the Malvern Hills to the North and the Black Mountains to the West. 

We will soon be opening our new indoor café space complete with Halal, vegan and gluten-free options*. The café hatch has already opened with customers enjoying coffees, ice creams and snacks safely outdoors.  Come and see us!

*subject to Government guidelines

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Stay up to date with what's happening by visiting the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust events page: https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events or join the ‘Return to the Hill’ Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/246823233688644/