Starting at the Fishponds fish sculpture by Morrisons on the
Bristol Bath Railway path with Alan Richardson our local history guide we looked
at the rich industrial heritage of Warmley and Siston Common, found out about
Magpie Bottom and saw Neptune's Statue and Troopers Hill.
Starting from Fishponds, Alan Richardson was our local
history guide, Steve Kinsella led and Pete was our Life Cycle UK Trainer to
help with safe and enjoyable cycling.
We saw:
The railway path
tunnel - from above! Staple Hill pin
factory (1870-1896).
Siston
Common (a farm shop here but taking on extra weight may not be a
good idea!)
The
Dramway 19th century horse-drawn tramway that carried coal from
Coalpit Heath down to the River Avon.
The estate at Warmley
where William Champion (1709-89) pioneered the commercial production of zinc in
Europe. We saw the zinc and brass mill (windmill tower, ranges and ice
house) clocktower, Warmley House and garden, which is a rare example of an 18th
century industrialist's garden. The many unusual features (some constructed
using recycled waste from the works) include grottos, echo pond, former lake,
statue of Neptune, the mound, chequered walled garden, boathouse and
summerhouse.
Champion's method of processing Calamine to produce zinc was
patented in 1738. Calamine is mined in the Yate area. The works were later used
for pin manufacture, and for pottery, finally closing in 1966.
Magpie
Bottom a lovely fairy dell but access is difficult.
Douglas
Motor Cycle Works was started in the early 1900's and made castings
(eg manhole covers) and metal goods. The Douglas brothers became interested in
motorcycles and by the 1920's their machines were winning the Isle of Man TT
races. The Kingswood Heritage museum has a collection of their products.
Troopers
Hill is named from Civil War when Cromwell's soldiers set up
camp there on way to fight in Bristol. There's a terrific view overlooking
the River Avon to nearby Bristol ands beyond.
Crew's
Hole was from the early 1700s an industrial area including
oil refineries and a tar works
site at the bottom of Troopers Hill. The
tar works were established by Isambard Kingdom
Brunel in 1843 to provide creosote to be used as a preservative for railway
sleepers. It continued to operate until 1981.
