Located on the urban fringe of Gloucester, the ‘Return to the Hill’ project aims to transform the engagement local communities have with the Hill and build, diversify and deepen connections to the city’s largest public green space.

Focusing on the nearby wards of Barton and Tredworth, Matson, Tuffley, Podsmead, Robinswood and White City, the Wildlife Trust hopes to reach some of the county’s most diverse and underserved communities.

Owned by Gloucester City Council and managed in partnership with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Robinswood Hill is a 100 hectare Country Park rising to 198m above sea level, with waymarked walks offering extensive views across the Severn Vale, the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds. As well as a play area, newly refurbished café and visitor hub run by the trust, the Hill is also home to woodland, grassland and ponds teeming with wildlife.

Nicola Simpson, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Engagement Manager, said:

“Building on the strong relationships we’ve developed with local communities over the past seven years, Return to the Hill marks the next phase of this journey, celebrating such a unique part of Gloucester’s natural heritage. We believe that everyone should have access to nature and want to help people connect with the wildlife on their doorstep.”

The project’s aims include:

1. Increasing diversity – promoting inclusion, celebrating cultural diversity and bringing people together through food and festival. This will include café takeovers, cultural events in partnership with local community organisations, and recruiting volunteers to champion diversity at the Trust.

2. Improving accessibility – enabling those with limited mobility to explore the Hill in new ways and helping everyone have access to nature. There is Tramper hire available for those who can’t walk too far, with accessible waymarked routes tested out by the Star College and Countryside Mobility. All-weather “Explorer Backpacks” and welly hire are on offer, and development of pushchair-friendly routes with our partner Barnardos.

3. Celebrating the story of the Hill – documenting stories from local communities about their memories of Robinswood Hill and what makes it special to them as part of a permanent exhibition at Robinswood Hill.

An £84,700 grant has been provided by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, in addition to further funding from Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and Gloucester City Council.

Join the “Return to the Hill” group on Facebook.

You can also submit your memories to the Hill’s Virtual Memories Board

Jenny Griffiths, Return to the Hill Project Officer

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust 

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