I have fond memories of Robinswood Hill when I was growing up – from junior school trips climbing to the top, to running around it for cross country afternoons when I was at The Crypt School. It has also, literally, been a beacon for Gloucester on occasions such as the new Millennium and The Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees. There is probably no better vantage point from which to look down over the city.

For a while, though, it did feel like an asset that we weren’t making the most of. As city-dwellers, we are very fortunate to have the hill and a 250-acre country park just a couple of miles or so outside the city centre.

The Hill has been awarded Green Flag status
In recent years improvements have taken place, driven by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Friends of Robinswood Hill, Councillor Colin Organ and our committed team of rangers who look after the hill. These range from a new wooden education shelter to some stunning wood sculptures. This year the Hill has been awarded Green Flag status – the benchmark standard for parks and green spaces.
In July 2016, we held my daughter Eirys’s 1st birthday party on the hill and a number of those who came along were surprised at how much better the hill was than the last time they had been.

Much more is planned, including an ambitious new visitor centre, café and play area. Its events programme is improving all the time with everything from 4x4 rides to the top, to dawn chorus walks and night time nature safaris. For more information visit www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/whats-on.

Important for nature conservation
As a city and a county, we need to get more active – and what better way could there be than enjoying the countryside that is on our doorstep? It almost goes without saying that Robinswood Hill is important for nature conservation in our city too, providing a home for wild orchids and bluebells and a habitat for many creatures, such as badgers, foxes, two types of deer and birds including Red Kites.

On the other side of the Hill, it’s great news that Gloucester Golf Club has been saved from its threatened closure by the Club Members taking it over and running it themselves.

So the next time you’re stuck for something to do, when you fancy some fresh air, feel like a bit of exercise and don’t want to travel too far, why not pay a trip to Robinswood Hill? Like a lot of my family, you’ll probably come away thinking it was even better than the last time you’d been there.