William Champion's Garden & Grotto
Warmley House - Carpark, Tower Road North, Warmley, Bristol, Bristol, BS30 8XN
Step beneath the surface into one of England’s largest grottos, crafted by visionary Quaker industrialist William Champion. An “integrated art-industrial landscape”, not a playground for the elite.
Using recycled furnace waste, Champion created a unique 18th‑century marvel: the first industrial hydrothermal space, with hot and cold plunge pools powered by one of England’s largest steam engines. Six Grotesque “mouth of hell” faces guarded the chambers. Water cascaded through a closed-loop system to a vast lake and onto waterwheels that powered Europe’s largest zinc and brass works.
This underground sanctuary may have provided a place of rest and recovery for all of the industrial community, offering relief from the noise and intensity of the work above. He recruited and kept the protestant skilled industrial workers and their families from the Netherlands and Germany, by providing steady employment, quality housing, food security, care during illness, religious freedom, a shop, within the landscaped grounds featuring a lake, summerhouse and the towering statue of Neptune - the first made with cement and recycled materials.
Yet, Warmley’s history is complex. The brass manufactured was traded in the transatlantic slave trade. In 1761, the Quakers condemned slavery, and Champion focused on pin making. Today, you can explore the surviving grotto, Neptune, high-walled gardens, viewing mound that stand as a powerful testament to a pioneering, complex industrial community.
Timings
- Saturday 19 September:
- 1100 - 1600
- Sunday 20 September:
- 1100 - 1600
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].
