Found just five minutes’ walk from Stroud city centre, Frome Banks nature reserve is a wildlife haven where grey wagtails, dippers and even otters can often be found.

Established in 1990. the reserve was leased from Gloucestershire County Council and a private owner and jointly managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) and the Stroud Valleys Project (SVP). SVP was founded in 1988 and works with the local community and enthusiastic volunteers to ensure no piece of land in the district that needs ecological care will be overlooked.

Roger Mortlock, GWT Chief Executive, says, “We’ve been rethinking and consolidating our nature reserves so we can work to create bigger, better and more joined up landscapes for nature across county, though we will be sad to say goodbye to this nature reserve – a fantastic oasis in the middle of Stroud and one of the best places in Gloucestershire to see dippers! We’ve managed the site since 2015 and really enjoyed working in partnership with SVP on a number of projects. They're perfect new owners for Frome Banks, especially as neighbours along the River Frome with a great track record of engaging people in Stroud.” 

The two-acre reserve is tucked behind Dr Newton's Way near Stroud town centre and adjoins the canal and the River Frome. A wildlife haven in a semi-urban area, Frome Banks is valued by the local community as a great place to enjoy a quiet break from the working day. SVP aims to make the area more accessible to the people of Stroud while retaining its biodiversity moving forwards.

"We're excited to be taking over the management of Frome Banks nature reserve and working with the local community to link green spaces in Stroud together to extend our wildlife corridors. This will increase the urban green spaces SVP manage in the heart of Stroud and enable links to the wider countryside", says Clare Mahdiyone, SVP CEO.