Wotton Congregational Church Cemetery

Exploring the future of a historic urban cemetery

In autumn 2025, representatives of the West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church contacted Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to attend a consultation event about the future of Wotton Congregational Church Cemetery, located next to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Horton Road.

The cemetery is currently in a poor condition, and the United Reformed Church is exploring options to regenerate the space and transfer future ownership or stewardship to a local community group.

A historic and ecological opportunity

At the consultation event, GWT raised the idea of a regeneration scheme that would be historically led but ecologically informed.

Cemeteries and churchyards can often hold important ecological value. Their long-term continuity, older trees, grassland, stonework, boundary features and relatively undisturbed character can make them valuable places for wildlife, even within heavily urbanised areas.

Given the cemetery’s location next to the hospital and within a built-up part of Gloucester, the site has the potential to provide a small but important ecological refuge. It could also become a quiet community green space that recognises the historic character of the cemetery while improving its value for people and wildlife.

Ecological surveying

To better understand the site’s current ecological value, GWT funded an official ecological survey of the cemetery through Wild Service.

The survey will help identify the habitats, species and ecological features present on site. These findings will then be used to shape future discussions about how the cemetery could be restored, managed and improved.

Survey findings are expected in mid-May. This page will be updated once the results are available.