Coombe Hill Nature reserve is a hidden gem tucked away on a little road called The Wharf. 

There’s free parking and we’ve always managed to get a space there. The walk is flat, although a little bumpy so walkers or study pushchairs are best. There’s little picnic benches dotted around too.

Choose to walk down the right or left of the canal for around 1km, and then beyond to the right to reach a footbridge to a bird-watching hide.

Inside is lots of information about local wildlife and a great view. Your walk can be short or long but it’s totally manageable with little ones. Great views and lots of blackberries and sloes to be picked when in season but take your wellies - if it’s wet as it can get boggy underfoot.

Thanks to Clare and family for this walk information

About the reserve from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

It is a very special site for wetland birds, particularly waders and migrating waterfowl, but also watch out for birds of prey, including hen harriers, peregrine falcons and goshawks.  Snipe, redshanks, oystercatchers, lapwings and curlews are just a few of the many birds sighted here, and there are spectacular numbers of over-wintering wildfowl during times of high water.   One of the best sites in Gloucestershire, Coombe Hill boasts 17 species of dragonflies and damselflies, including the hairy dragonfly, scarce chaser and emperor dragonfly.  

The Grundon hide is open, please remember to observe social distancing measures and to keep to one household using the hide at any one time.