 Grid Reference: SO887272
Area: 105 hectares
Coombe Hill Canal and Meadows is a place of vistas and endless skies, of floods and farming, an ancient landscape fringing the Severn. It has become one of the Trust's biggest restoration projects since it suffered greatly in the great flood of 2007. Public appeals have helped enormously to bring it back to its best and also to improve access, boardwalks and bird hides.
The 105 hectare nature reserve is a very special site for wetland birds, particularly waders and migrating waterfowl but also watch out for birds of prey, including hen harrier, peregrine falcon and goshawk.
Winter floodwaters
Floodwater attracts migrating waterfowl – flocks of wigeon, pintail, shoveler and teal, and occasionally Bewick's and whooper swans.
The hay meadows
Curlew, lark and brown hare breed in the meadows, and the variety of wildflowers will steadily increase with time and the work we carry out here.
The scrapes
These shallow seasonal pools are one of the most important features here, essential for redshank, snipe and lapwing that breed in tussocky grass nearby. Other waders visit too, and heron and mallard are seen daily.
Coombe Hill Canal
Towpaths and banks are bright in summer with flowers like yellow loosestrife, red bartsia, red campion and tufted vetch, and alive with butterflies and dragonflies. Hedges and trees are important for birds.
Broad Meer and the Long Pool
These were once osier beds for supplying willow-weavers. In Broad Meer the osiers are now overgrown, and The Long Pool has become 'tall herb fen', full of plants like yellow flag and purple loosestrife, and fringed by willows which provide fine habitat for many bird species.
The ditches
These are enormously rich in plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish and even visiting otters. Plentiful eels and frogs are a feast for the many herons, that commute from a heronry several miles away. In summer you are certain to see many dragonflies including the Emperor.
Old willows and hedges
The ancient pollarded willows are important for rare insects and bird life and the old hedges provide cover and berries for birds like blackbird and migrant redwings in winter.
Visiting Coombe Hill Nature Reserve
The reserve includes The Canal (2 1/3 miles / 3.75 km long with a towpath on either side) the Meadows north of the canal, and the Southern Meadows.
To reach the Meadows from the Wharf, walk 1/2 mile (10 min) along either side of the Canal to the entrance gate.
The Meadows include:
Large area of pasture and meadow crossed by public footpath. Please keep dogs on leads and out of pools and ditches.
Breeding Grounds Protected Area. Access to this is limited to the Grundon Hide and the Circular walk, from which you reach the Long Pool Hide. No dogs allowed in this area at any time.
Grundon Hide - fine large hide, with information boards, Approached by boardwalk through the Broad Meer. No dogs.
Circular Walk. No dogs allowed. From car-park back to car-park will take approx. 1 ½ - 2 hours.
Your Safety!
Walking – mainly level, but the towpaths are sloping in some places with ruts and mud. They are unsuitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Beware deep water. All ditches and the Canal are deep and most have vertical sides. Never attempt to cross except by bridges.
Beware winter floods. The Circular Walk and hides may be submerged under 2-3 metres of water so do not try to enter. Birds can be watched from the towpath (which in extreme floods may be saturated and muddy).
How to find Coombe Hill Nature Reserve
Take A38 from Gloucester or Tewkesbury.
At traffic lights for the A4019 to Cheltenham by Swan Inn, take the narrow lane opposite (cul-de-sac) to the Reserve entrance at The Wharf. Park either in the small car-park there, or at the Swan Inn if you are a customer for their good food and refreshments!
There are also entrances at the Wainlodes end of the Canal, and on several public footpaths from The Leigh and Apperley.
Coombe Hill Canal SSSI and Meadows Nature Reserve Leaflet
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