About the reserve

The limestone grassland on the steep slopes of Swift’s Hill supports more than 130 species of wildflowers, with no fewer than 13 different orchids found here, including rare frog, bee, early purple and autumn lady’s-tresses.  Knapweed, wild thyme and white helleborine support butterflies such as marbled white and common blue, two of 29 species of this insect recorded here. Birds to look and listen out for include kestrel, skylark and green woodpecker. Field voles, limestone snails, rugged oil beetles and the rare rufous grasshopper are all found here. The shady track to Swift’s Hill is lined with plants such as violet, bluebell and sanicle. There’s also an old quarry, with viper’s bugloss found close by.

The grassland is maintained by grazing cattle from April to October, and on a clear day you can see as far as Wales. 

History

Swift’s Hill is one of a series of commons in the Stroud Valleys and a great place to enjoy views as far was Wales. hill is immortalised in Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie. It was purchased by GWT in 1967.