Community Activities

Gloucester Cathedral Ramblers was re-formed in 2013 after a period of dormancy following the previous leader’s departure. Since then, over 200 people have walked with the Ramblers. Some 50 people are active currently. The average number of people on a walk is 15; the largest number to date has been 25. It is not necessary to worship regularly at Gloucester Cathedral to walk with the Ramblers, and new members are always most welcome.

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 about 10 miles over undulating terrain including some steep climbs and descents. In the main, easy and challenging walks are planned in alternate months. 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.

Some of the easy walks, and most of the challenging walks, have followed waymarked trails so that there is a sense of achievement on completing the entire route. All of the Gloucestershire Way (100 miles), the Wysis Way (55 miles) and a 60 mile stretch of the Monarch’s Way have been walked in stretches of about 10 miles. Currently, the Ramblers have returned to the Gloucestershire Way. Stretches of the Cotswold Canals Walk and the Severn Way have been used for a number of the easy walks.

The meeting point ahead of each walk is generally College Green at Gloucester Cathedral, usually between 09.00am and 10.00am.

There are four walk leaders. The principal leader is Peter Barrett who may be contacted on gloucestercathedralramblers@gmail.com. Walk details and other information are circulated by email; however, text messages are used for short notice changes of plan.

You can click on the button below to download the programme of walks for 2022-23.

Reports from previous walks are also available to download here:

Brunch n Bounce is currently on hold, but we are working to resume our monthly meetings soon. Please check this website page for further details.

Brunch n Bounce meets monthly on a Saturday morning in the Chapter House from 9.30am to 11.30am. We welcome families with children to a ‘big on fun’ event. There is a bouncy castle as well as craft activities, toys and games and food and drinks –all free of charge! Parents, grandparents and carers can read papers and magazines, chat and enjoy a hot drink and food while keeping an eye on the children – helped by the Brunch n Bounce staff.  

There is a short reflection time. We give news of cathedral events and a collection is made for the Cathedral’s Breakfast Club, which supports those who are homeless in Gloucester.      

Sip & Study is a small, friendly and welcoming group meeting on Tuesday afternoons at Robert Raikes House in Southgate Street, where we use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina to explore the coming Sunday’s Gospel reading.

 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. Sip & Study starts at 2.30pm and finishes at 4pm. We meet in blocks of five or six weeks, followed by a two-week break, and we take a longer break from the end of July until September. For exact dates, check the Weekly Notices.

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.

Part of the ethos of our Cathedral’s Rule of Life is that of mutual support and encouragement. Those interested get together regularly and informally to reflect on the challenges of keeping to their personal Rule, to worship and to pray. Check the Weekly Notices to find out when these meetings, usually on a Tuesday evening in the Education Centre, take place. 

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