Community Activities

Cathedral Ramblers

Gloucester Cathedral Ramblers was re-formed in 2012 after a period of dormancy following the previous leader’s departure. There are currently 34 people on the mailing list. Some 250 people have walked with the Ramblers since 2012. With other commitments, most Ramblers join about four walks each year. It is not necessary to worship at Gloucester Cathedral to walk with the Ramblers. New members are always most welcome.

Cathedral Ramblers at Saul Junction on a walk from Epney to Eastington in May 2024 (Courtesy of Jon Dickinson)

At least one walk is planned each month, usually on a Saturday. The walk standards are ‘easy’ - a walk of about five miles over relatively flat terrain - and ‘challenging’ - a walk of 12 to 15 miles over undulating terrain including some steep climbs and descents. Easy and challenging walks are generally planned in alternate months; in some months, both easy and challenging walks are available. Easy walks generally end with a pub lunch or, in summer months, a picnic, and challenging walks include a pub lunch or a picnic en route.

Most of the challenging walks and some easy walks have followed waymarked trails. The Gloucestershire Way (100 miles) has been walked twice. The Three Choirs Way (100 miles), the Wysis Way (55 miles), a 60-mile stretch of the Monarch’s Way and an 80-mile stretch of The Macmillan Way have also been walked. The Ramblers are currently walking nearby parts of the Geopark Way. The Cotswold Canals Walk and the Severn Way have been used for easy walks, although most of the easy walks are circular and relatively near to Gloucester. Health & Safety and Risk Assessments are undertaken before each walk.

Cathedral Ramblers on the summit of Sandhurst Hill in August 2023 (Courtesy of Revd Jo Pestell)

The meeting point is generally Gloucester Cathedral, usually between 08.30am and 09.30am. The principal walk-leader is Peter Barrett who may be contacted on gloucestercathedralramblers@gmail.com. Ramblers are kept updated on the future programme by email; text messages are used for short notice changes of plan.

Please click on the button below to download the programme of walks for 2024-25.

2024-25 Programme

Reports from previous walks are also available to download here:

Stow-on-the-Wold to NorthleachNorthleach to RendcombRendcomb to CirencesterCirencester to TetburyLongford to StavertonEpney to Eastington

Gloucester Cathedral Book Club

The Gloucester Cathedral Book Club was started and organised by Canon Celia Thomson for nearly twenty years. It is now run by lay members of the congregation.

We meet monthly, apart from August, for an hour in the afternoon in the Laud room to discuss the chosen book. Members suggest books and a list is drawn up for the books for the next six months. The current list is below.

We think 12 members is the optimum number to enable all members to partake in the discussion. If you are interested in joining us please contact: reception@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

2024 Book List

8 April - "Cold Comfort Farm" by Stella Gibbons
13 May - "Act of Oblivion" by Robert Harris
10 June - "Seed to Dust" by Marc Hamer
8 July - "Killing Floor" by Lee Child
9 September - "1984" by George Orwell
14 October - "Middlemarch" by George Eliot

Sip and Study - Cathedral Lectio group

Sip & Study is a small, friendly and welcoming group meeting monthly on the second Tuesday of each month at Prinknash Abbey. We use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina to explore a passage of Scripture. The process of Lectio, used by Benedictine monks, is very much about quiet and listening – to God and to one another. Although the practice may be ancient, we find much to reflect upon through it about our lives today. Anyone can come along; you don’t need prior experience of Lectio as we learn the process through experiencing it. Lectio itself begins at 2.30pm and finishes at 3.45pm in the Meeting Room next to the café (just down from the car park), but we arrive  from 2pm and get together in the café with time for refreshment first. Some of us even arrive at 1pm for lunch together! For a list of dates, check the Weekly Notices in the Sunday Eucharist Order of Service. To find out more, please email reception@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Coffee and a chat

On the first Wednesday of each month, from 10.30am – 11.30am, we hold a Coffee Morning in the back room of the Monks’ Kitchen. It’s a lovely, informal gathering, with a warm and friendly welcome to anyone who likes to come along.

Find out more

To find out more about any of these activities, please email reception@gloucestercathedral.org.uk or call 01452 528095