William Champion's Garden & Grotto

The remarkable and rare surviving Grade II designated 18th century garden of the industrialist William Champion is hidden behind his brass mill (now Kingswood Museum) and pin factory (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’ and discover Champion’s ‘summerhouse’ in the woods. Champion's Grade II* house (now a private residential home) overlooks the garden, with a flight of steps leading down through a HaHa.

It is probable that Champion's grotto incorporated his earlier works. A series of culverts linked the grotto, lake and pond with Champion's works, pumped by an early Newcomen engine. A spillway has recently been uncovered beside the grotto, potentially used as a garden cascade. The ruined boathouse beside the Echo Pond is also thought to have once housed a beam engine, pumping water from the lake. The garden is being brought back to life with wildflower meadows and a Heritage orchard planted with fruit trees from Champion's time, and further plans for a wildlife pond and a nature trail through Neptune's Wood behind Neptune.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

1100-1630

Sunday 15 September:

1100-1630

Location & directions

Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol, Bristol, BS30 8XT

Directions:

By foot: Access from Tower Lane to east of Kingswood Heritage Museum. Access on foot is flat. The slope down to the car park is steep and there are steps on the far side of the turning circle. By Car: Via the car park below Warmley House, off Tower Road North (BS30 8XN)

Contact on day:

Kay Ross

Telephone number:

+447890267845

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 and there are steps on the far side of the turning circle). Within the garden walking is mainly over grass with a few paths. Toilets and a cafe are available at Kingswood Heritage Museum beside the garden in Tower Lane.

Additional information

The garden is being brought back to life as a Community Garden by the Friends of William Champion's Garden, formed in 2019. We have planted many hundreds of bulbs and plants extant in William Champion's day, including a heritage orchard. We have a working party that meets every month on the second Sunday 1100-1500 - we very much welcome new Friends - please come along and join in. There is always cake! If you are interested in joining us please email [email protected] or visit our website https://www.williamchampionsgarden.org.uk/

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