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Saltford Brass Mill

Mill Island, The Shallows, Saltford, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS31 3EX

  • Multiple dates available
  • In person
  • Pre-booking not required

Ancient Monument and Listed (Grade II*) remnant of the brass industry which thrived in the Avon Valley in the 18th & 19th Centuries. We show how the mill worked, how it came to survive into the 21st Century and its impact on local social history.

As well as the now unique annealing furnace and eighteen foot working cast iron water wheel at Saltford Brass Mill, our education and interpretation displays include full-size mock-ups of battery and rolling mill equipment which produced brass 'hollow ware' or pot and pans, and brass sheet. We tell visitors the story of wire drawing and pin manufacture which lies at the beginning of the industrial revolution and modern manufacturing even before the age of steam. We describe the historic family links to skilled workers who came from Europe to work across the region's brass industry which thrived for almost two centuries with its early links to the slave trade and Bristol's merchant ventures.

Out in the peaceful garden, our running waterwheel models demonstrate the different types of waterwheels and are popular with visitors of all ages. The Mill is an ongoing project with many fascinating conservation issues and projects, most recently the damming of the mill leat to allow for the replacement of a failing sluice gate with a newly constructed one, and structural surveys and digital scans.

Our knowledgeable volunteer team and guides will tell the stories and there are new videos and sound effects to enhance your visit and show you our diverse wildlife.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 07 September:
1000-1600
Sunday 08 September:
1300-1600
Saturday 14 September:
1000-1600
Sunday 15 September:
1300-1500

Location & directions

Mill Island, The Shallows, Saltford, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS31 3EX

Directions:
The Sallows is a turning off the A4 At the bottom of Bath Hill
Contact on day:
Patrick Beazley
Telephone number:
+447823321768

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Access is along unmade paths wide enough for wheelchairs. Over half the mill is accessible by wheelchair and some other parts visible. Accessible public toilets are 200 yards away.(20p)

Additional information

Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II* Listed Building containing working waterwheel, models and infromative displays.

Max no of people per tour:
15
Est. tour duration:
1 hour(s)

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