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:
9. Neptune’s Statue
Just after the footbridge turn right onto a static caravan site and on a large open area you will see this huge statue of Neptune. It was built in 1750 and once stood on an island in the middle of a 16-acre lake now gone. | Alex Ross
10. Echo Pond
Back on the path, you reach Echo pond which was used to breed fish and sits at the centre of an open green space. | Alex Ross
11. Underground grotto
Heading up the grassland past the pond, those with an eagle-eye will spot the metal gate to an underground grotto which will be opened for two days at the end of August. Contact [email protected] for more. | Alex Ross
12. More concealed entrances
Explore the grounds and you will find more locked gated entrances within the derelict buildings which once stood proud. | Alex Ross