William Champion's Garden & Grotto
Warmley House - Carpark, Tower Road North, Warmley, Bristol, Bristol, BS30 8XN
This site bravely confronts its complex past with the Quakers - old Dissenters - an industrial community village, slave trade, child labour, low wages and garden artistry.
Follow the Methodist founder's Rev John Wesley (1761) visit, finding this remarkable and rare surviving Grade II designated 18th century garden, hidden behind his brass mill (now Kingswood Heritage Museum) and pin factory (the oldest existing factory in the U.K., the Clocktower).
Discover the giant Statue of Neptune, once towering above a huge lake, and explore the concealed 18th century grotto, a unique remnant of Champion’s pleasure grounds, making your way through the fantastical gaping jaws into candle-lit tunnels past three pools, one fed by a cascade which once flowed from Champion’s brassworks. Or explore the rare ‘snail’ viewing mound and the ‘Echo Pond’. Discover Champion’s ‘summerhouse’ in the woods and house (now both privately) overlooking the garden, with a flight of steps leading down through a HaHa.
Water powered by a series of culverts linking the grotto, lake and pond with Champion's works, pumped by an early Newcomen 'fire' engine (before James Watt's more efficient improved steam engine in the 1760's).
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 11am to 4pm (closed)
- Sunday 21 September:
- 11am to 4pm (closed)
Location & directions
Warmley House - Carpark, Tower Road North, Warmley, Bristol, Bristol, BS30 8XN
- Directions:
- The Garden Carpark can be reached by driving along to Warmley House, then at the top of the drive turn sharp right. Walk under the arch and down The Lawn to the Echo Pond. Bus stops (from Bristol and Bath) are next to Summerhouse Way, and one closer to the Kingswood Heritage Museum. Walk (flat) along Summerhouse Way, join the gravel path on the left that leads to Elm Walk. (See the Summer House on the right). Walk along through Neptune's wood (the Statue is on your right), over the bridge, past the Echo Pond, roofless Boat House to Laurel Walk. The entrance to the Grotto is further along, on your left. Bristol to Bath Cycle Path is at Warmley Waiting Room via Station Road. Carpark, public toilets (a Radar key needed for disabled toilet). Next to the Windmill Tower, the Museum has a carpark. There is an uneven path up towards The Garden.
- Contact on day:
- Dino Zelenika
- Telephone number:
- +447792365225
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Access on foot is flat The slope down to the car park, if walking, is steep. Within the garden walking is mainly over grass with a few paths. Beware of the roots of trees crossing the paths. On Elm Walk bridge there are small steps. The path leading down to Neptune Statue is steep for wheelchair users etc. The entrance into the Grotto garden has a step and is narrow for wheelchairs. Better access is through the Chequered Wall Garden (uneven). Accessible Toilets and a cafe are available at Kingswood Heritage Museum beside the garden in Tower Lane.
Additional information
This heritage garden is being brought back to life as an 18th century Community Garden, as part of a nationally significant site - early Industrial Revolution. If you are interested in become a member/supporter or volunteer, visit our www.williamchampionsgarden.org.uk or email [email protected].
