It’s amazing what you find in your own city with the help of a guide book and two walking feet. Our city, Bristol, is certainly well-trodden and explored but, as we found it, there are still parts - natural and historic - which lie undiscovered to most people.
Like our walk around Frampton Cotterell last week, we again decided to use a South Gloucestershire Council-printed guide (click here) to find out more about an area of east Bristol we knew very little about.
The starting point is on the steep Cock Lane, just off the new Wraxall Road junction on the A4174 Ring Road in Oldland Common, and it begins with a cut-through to the Cock Road Ridge Open Space - a tucked-away nature researve with wonderful views over Bristol toward Bath.
We then pass Kingswood Remembrance Park and Grimsbury Community Farm before heading under the ring road and into Warmley, taking a long straight footpath which follows Warmley Brook (me neither!).
At Digitech Studio School, you turn right, then right again to head into the former estate of William Champion who was the first commercial producer of zinc - and boy can you see the riches he once sat on.
But before reaching his house, we discovered an amazing find - a massive sculpture of Neptune which now strangely sits in a static caravan park just off the path. It was a 30ft-high reminder of the wealth Mr Champion generated - along with the huge house and brassworks.
Back on the main road, Tower Lane, we took shelter from the rain to visit the wonderful Kingswood Heritage Museum where the cafe served a welcome cup of tea is 50p. The reception was lovely too. It was then back across the A4174 to the starting point.
Here’s a selection of pictures from the walk:
5. Subway
At the end of Baden Road, take a left turn down this pathway where you then turn right to go under the subway under the A4174 ring road and into Warmley. | Alex Ross
6. Warmley Brook
Pass Warmley Community Centre and on your right is a footpath which joins onto Warmley Brook with fields on your right and the stream on your left. The grass is long and wildlife can seen all around you. | Alex Ross
7. River crossing
Once you reach Digitech Studio School, you turn left over this small bridge over the brook and to Tower Road North which might be busy with students. | Alex Ross
8. Neptune’s Wood
Turn right on to Tower Road North, then right again onto Summer House Way where a path leads onto Neptune’s Wood. This was the grounds of William Champion’s estate. He was a producer of zinc, copper and brass in the area. The woodland offers an attractive trail leading up to a footbridge. | Alex Ross