Royate Hill
Two disused railway embankments linked by a brick viaduct to make a city centre nature reserve
The railway embankment creates a varied local topography with long and short, steep and gentle slopes. The habitats on the site range from limestone flora on the embankment top, to flower rich grassland, developing woodland and scrub on the embankment sides. Species such as ox-eyed daisy, mouse eared chickweed and bee orchid have been recorded at the site.
Hedgerows, a stream and an old orchard are also present within the reserve boundary.
The embankments were constructed in the early 1870's to form part of the Clifton Extension Railway. They span 450 metres in a shallow curve from Edward Street in the north west, to Clay Bottom to the east, crossing Royate Hill and the Coombe Brook at their centre.
The site was compulsorily purchased by the former Avon County Council in 1996, following a five-year high profile campaign by local people to save it from development.
32 GoodGymers have supported Royate Hill with 28 tasks.
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Previous sessions
Watch me snip, snip, watch me spray spray
Saturday 2nd May
Written by Bristol runner
This morning we were on the slope again tackling the pesky brambles; only now we were also armed with weed killer sprays! Snip the bramble low then spray. Repeat. Accustomed now to the slope we shot up and down like mountain goats and almost no bum sliding was needed. There was also some general neatening to be done of other areas.
A quick tea and biscuit and we off for a double task day.
Congratulations to Frances on 200 good deeds today 🙂
Until next time…
Jagged Little Hill
Saturday 7th March
Written by Bristol runner
Lots to get on with on a day that was almost spring like. There was litter picking to be done around the viaduct and in the Moon Temple, and removal of pesky jagged brambles that are everyone’s nemesis. One team of de-bramblers took the top of the viaduct and the other scampered up the hill to help give the wildflowers a chance.
Welcome today to Andrea for their first task 🙂
At the end we all gathered for the customary tea/coffee and biscuits and chat.
Until next time…
A long way to topiary
Sunday 1st February
Written by Bristol runner
It is a long way to go but always a nice place to be. Today’s task was topiary, according to the small child walking past amazed at what we were doing. Cutting back the brambles and Buddleja started last time we were here. Definitely not cutting the dog rose 👀
The usual coffee and tea at the end this time was paired with panettone. Forgot to take many pictures so if you see this report marvel at a picture of a bush.
Until next time…
Cuddlier Buddleja?
Saturday 3rd January
Written by Bristol runner
To make the habitat lovelier.
Meant cutting the top off the buddleja.
So what did we do?
Frances ‘The Mountain Goat’.
Climbed high to chop off the bloat.
Dave ‘The Mole’ .
Cut a rather big hole.
Richard ‘The Shearer’.
Cut bits that were nearer.
The Buddleja did stick.
And needed a flick.
An hour-ish passed.
That went fast!
The arms getting tired and even the cheeks (face).
It won’t need another cut for weeks!
Enough of the rhyme.
i've run out of time.
I’m now off to find all the tiny bits of buddleja flower in my hair, clothes, socks and other surprising places.
Until next time…
Oaky Pokey
Saturday 1st November 2025
Written by Bristol runner
You put your trowel in, your trowel out.
Pull, out, pull, out, you shake it all about.
You do the Oaky Pokey and you turn around (and have tea and biscuits).
That's what it's all about.
Whoa-o the Oaky Pokey.
Whoa-o the Oaky Pokey.
Whoa-o the Oaky Pokey.
Knees bent, arms stretched.
Rah! Rah! Rah!
(pictures as evidence of holm oak extraction - 13 in total, unlucky for them)
Until next time…
Choppit and Tidyup
Sunday 5th October 2025
Written by Bristol runner
A simple one today. Clear a path along the bottom of the embankment that we have previously climbed like mountain goats. More work to do clear brambles but we made a good start. Short report today as I’m going on a plant hunt.
Until next time…
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