Robinswood Country Park — Attraction in Gloucester

Best place to view Gloucester and the Severn Valley.

Updated April 2022.

Many different scenic routes to the top where the view is worth the effort of getting there. On a good day, you can see The Malverns, clear across the Severn and towards the Black Mountains in Wales.

Sadly too much of the hill's history is hidden away (Monk's Well, the old army camp, the quarry) or buried (literally in the case of the Victorian café). There's very little available on site to inform visitors of what went on here.

The fields on the lower slopes are perfect for dog walkers and the play area services the needs of little ones. Benches and barbecues are at the base of the hill and dotted around on the way up.

The café and conservation centre now seem to be fully operational at last. Prices aren't too bad. Seating is limited, get a place on the outside balcony if you can.

Quickest route to the top is to follow the path straight up from the play area. There are several other ways up and most are, at times, quite steep.

However, go left and you'll pick up the old concrete path, one of the few reminders of when the lower slopes was home to the Gloucestershire Regiment's barracks.

Alternatively go right from the car park and follow the bridle path along to the old quarry. Look out for the goats that live there (seriously). Please keep your dog on a lead in this area.

From the top it's possible to go down via the quarry. This is a roller coaster of a route and not for those with weak knees but affords good views to the south west.

Appropriate footwear is essential. Trainers are OK when the ground is dry or firm but suitable walking shoes or boots are a must after rainfall.

The hill isn't 'pretty, pretty' but has more of a well managed wild feel; trees are left where they fall to encourage insect life and fungal growth, nettles abound and nature is left to reclaim the odd abandoned artificial feature. There is the occasional splash of wildflower colour but this is primarily a place full of shades of green to be enjoyed against a background of constant bird song.

Watch out for the car park closing times. They can differ from those on the web site. To avoid getting locked in, check the noticeboards...

I live right by robinswood hill ,which is fab for the grandkids ,but if your walking along reservoir road forget it 🙈I found it so hard with a push chair and toddlers as it's too over grown with stingers and thorns ,so we had to cross over which was so hard ,and then cross over again which was even dangerous as your on a bend ,thankgoodness I was with my family as wouldn't of been able to do it on my own I would of given up and walked home ,which would of been ashame ,I seriously thought I'm gonna have to drive here next time 🤭,what's not to like about robinswood ,the park bit is ok ,but the kids love the walking and sitting up the top with a sandwich ,u can walk and stay up there for hours ,some dogs are a nuisance ,not on a lead by my grandkids and I don't like that,I don't no your 🐕 dog ,I'm in protective mode so forgive me when u here me shout don't go near the dog ,come to nanny 😂😂I get the death stares from the owners lol 😂 but hey we all gotta live on this planet and go for walks and I do understand dogs need freedom too,robinswood looks like they are building quite a few new things at the moment so I look forward to coming up again ,and not forgetting the flipping football next time kids 🙈😂🤭nanny...

Absolutely amazing, free parking and seems to be plenty of it. Free to use freestanding BBQs where available also lots of BBQ stands on the end of many benches so you can bring your own!

Kids play areas opposite car park to warm them up before the walk or wear them out at the bottom.

Nice cafe but didn't try out as we couldn't see any online menus so we took a picnic with us!

Nice wildlife sculpture trail around the bottom but lots of different trails, includes ones which aren't signed. So easy to get around but be prepared for a good steep hike to the top. When you get there you can see as far as the eye can see all the way to the Malvern hills on a clear day.

There is another peak if you follow it along which gives you the remaining views of Tuffley, Quedgeley and Kingsway etc.

Depending on the routes you take, who your with and how good your stamina is, this will easily keep you busy for half to a full day of activities.

If you haven't been or haven't been recently it's definitely a cheap activity for all the family, dog walkers, horse riders, hikers and beauty spot...