St. Katharine's Church, Matson loop from Range Farm Fields

01:46

6.12km

150m

Hiking

Easy hike. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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859 m

St. Katharine's Church, Matson

Highlight • Historical Site

The first mention of a church was towards the end of the 1100's when Abbott Serlo had a pension of 10 shillings from the Chapel at Mattesdune, and Ralph de Mattesdunc gave the church to the Abbey of Gloucester. The first church was build of oak and elm with the first stone church around 1224-43.

The present church was built in 1891-4 and dedicated to St. Katharine of Alexandria. It is not known what the dedication of previous churches were.

Located on the side of Robinswood Hill, and close to the 'Red Well' - a 3ft square limestone trough fed from chalybeate spring. Due to the iron content in the water the water can appear red. The spring belonged to the Canons of Llanthony and de Mattisdon gave the church of Mattisdon to St. Peter's Abbey Gloucester.

In August 1643 King Charles I, resided at Matson House as a guest of Jasper Selwyn's grandson, William. William was married to Margaret Nourse, who's family where Parliamentarians and as a result the house and lands were saved.

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2.36 km

Bench With a View of Gloucester From Robinswood Hill

Highlight • Viewpoint

Bench with a view across the fields and city and great place for sunset. It’s half way up Robinswood Hill so a great place to stop mid way

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4.75 km

Robinswood Hill Summit and Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

Hands down, one of the loveliest places in Gloucester to watch a sunrise or sunset. Great choice of hiking/running trails to the top and 360 views. There’s picnic benches with BBQ pods up there too!

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4.87 km

View of Gloucester from Robinswood Hill

Highlight • Natural Monument

Robinswood Hill's nature trails and viewpoints are an absolute delight. Easily accessible from Gloucester, the park is a great place from which to survey the surrounding countryside. Rising to 650 feet (198 m), its panorama includes the nearby Cotswolds, the Malvern Hills, the Severn Bridges and Wales' Black Mountains.

The park’s 250-acre (100 ha) sprawl includes a dry ski slope, golf facilities and myriad habitats in its nature reserve. Badgers and foxes are among the mammal species that inhabit the reserve, while red kites are a common sight in the sky.

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