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| Gloucester Docks |
From the footbridge, cross the road and follow the building
in front of you around to your left. Pass through the white gates on your
right. You should now get your first glimpse of Gloucester Docks and, just
on your left, a lock which enables boats to rise up to the docks from the
River Severn. The water level in the docks is about four or five metres
higher than the River Severn which is why a lock is required to elevate
boats to the correct level. From the Docks the boats can access a 16 mile
ship canal to Sharpness Docks and the sea beyond.
Head towards the front of the lock where you can use
a footbridge over one of the lock gates to get to the other side. Gloucester
was given the status of a port by Queen Elizabeth I in 1580 which raised
the status of the city immensely. The tall buildings around the docks
were added later and handled many different cargoes from around the world
but today they're the council offices, private apartments and restaurants.
The dock itself is another example of how mankind's resourcefulness managed
to harness a natural element like water for a practical, beneficial use.
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| One of Gloucester's noisy inhabitants |
You'll also see, or rather hear, the plentiful seagulls.
Gulls have received a bad press because they've adapted well to life in
cities and have quickly become a nuisance because of their droppings as
well as occasional attacks on people. These birds are most likely Herring
Gulls and they can be distinguished by their noisy, squealing calls.
Walk past the old crane and take the first left after
the dock building on your left. Pass through the main dock gates and head
right. Use the crossing and head over to the other side of the road. The
large building on your left is Gloucester Prison. A prison has existed
on this site since the late 18th Century.
Head right up Commercial Road, following it around to
the left. You'll pass the abandoned Black Swan Hotel which offers more
examples of sedimentary rock - rock like the Oolitic limestone. Just beyond
the hotel you'll head into Southgate Street, and bear left.
On your right you'll see the Church of St Mary-de-Crypt.
This church has been described as “A Cathedral in Miniature”
because its large Choir is taller and longer than the nave. The presence
of a church on this site dates to the Domesday Book back in 1085.
If you continue along Southgate Street you'll reach The
Cross and the end of the walk. Hope you enjoyed it!
...Visit our feedback
page to leave your comments on the walk, send in pictures or if you
want to add another snippet of information to these pages.
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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gloucestershire would like
to thank the following people and organisations for their assistance
with The Gloucester Trail walk:
Alan McKay for the presentation work on the videos
Tony Kinder for the special wildlife photography
Malcolm Watkins from Gloucester City Council
Gloucester City Museum
Chris Wilson from the Open University
Rachel Jones, Nina Reeves and Mike Brooks from The University of
Gloucestershire
Claire Reid from the Gloucestershire Geological Trust
Alan Drewett from Gloucester Tourist Information
Gloucester Cathedral
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