During the 18th century, it was very fashionable to have your own grotto in your garden – which is believed to have represented the descent into the underworld. Few are as mesmerising as the one found in William Champion’s Gardens in Warmley, however, thought to be the most extensive man-made grotto still surviving.

Just on the outskirts of Bristol near Kingswood, you’ll find Kingswood Heritage Museum. Once the home of the zinc and brass works of William Champion, the area is home to Kingswood Heritage Museum’s permanent exhibits, William Champion’s luscious gardens, a tall windmill tower and, of course, the grotto – which is not usually accessible to the general public.

William Champion’s Gardens are truly weird and wonderful. Laid out in the then-popular Dutch style, the focal point of the gardens was originally a large lake formed by the damming of Siston Brook. This has long disappeared, but a 30-foot-high statue of the god Neptune that stood at the lake’s centre is still there.

The Warmley giant, as it is affectionately sometimes called, is believed to be the largest garden statue in the country. It is also almost made entirely of cement and black clinker (the residue of burnt coal) from Champion’s works. Swallowed by ivy in the past, Neptune was recently recovered from the overgrowth but has lost his arms, trident and crown.

Elsewhere you’ll find the garden brought to life with wildflower meadows and an orchard planted with fruit trees from Champion’s time. Or discover the rare ‘snail’ viewing mound, the Echo Pond – an echo may be heard immediately in front of the pond facing the back wall – and Champion’s ‘summerhouse’ in the woods. But the grotto remains the garden’s most unique feature.

It was likely based on the grotto found at Goldney House in Clifton, built by Champion’s uncle, but is far more unique. Rather than Bristol diamonds and shells, the walls comprise the same black clinker waste that’s on Neptune. A central pool is surrounded by six gruesome faces with gaping jaws forming archways into subterranean tunnels.

The remarkable surviving Grade II 18th century garden of brass-worker William Champion with its astonishing hidden grotto will be open the weekend of 28th – 29th of May 2023 from 11:00 to 16:30 each day.

The concealed 18th century grotto, a unique remnant of Champion’s pleasure grounds, is open for these two days, allowing visitors to make their way through the fantastical gaping jaws of grotesque ‘faces’ into candle-lit tunnels, past a pool fed by a tumbling cascade which once flowed from Champion’s Brassworks. Beyond the grotto, they will discover the giant Statue of Neptune, once towering above a huge lake, the rare ‘snail’ viewing mound and ‘Echo Pond’ and Champion’s ‘summerhouse’ in the woods.

The Grotto is open Sunday 28th May – Monday 29th May from 11:00 -16:30 no booking required.

The unique 18th century garden pleasure garden is hidden behind Champion’s brass mill (now Kingswood Museum) and pin factory (the Clocktower). Access is from Tower Lane or the car park below Warmley House on Tower Road North. Toilets and a cafe are available at Kingswood Heritage Museum beside the garden in Tower Lane.

For more information please email gardens@kingswoodmuseum.org.uk or contact Kingswood Museum on 0117 960 5664

The Garden in Warmley, South Gloucestershire, was originally created by the 18th century industrialist William Champion. It is designated Grade II on the UK Parks & Gardens Register and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, together with Champion’s brass mill, which houses Kingswood Heritage Museum, and his original pin factory, known as the Clock Tower. The Garden contains a number of historic 18th century features that are all listed Grade II: The Grotto, Statue of Neptune, Snail Viewing Mound, Boat House, Echo Pond, Summer House and Ice House. It also forms part of a Conservation Area together with the Brass Mill, Clock Tower and Champion’s Grade II* house, now a residential home. The Conservation Area is currently (2019) on the Historic England At Risk Register and described as in a ‘very bad’ condition and ‘deteriorating’.

A Friends group has been created and formalised their arrangements with a vision statement, aims and objectives that are shown on the attached documents. This is a first step on the creation of a working group to regenerate this neglected site.
The first formal meeting of the group was held in January 2020 and plans made for implementation.

The Friends would welcome any involvement from AGT members or supporters to assist in this restoration. If you feel you can contribute to this project please contact us chairman@avongardenstrust.org.uk. and we will put you in touch with the Friends.

William Champions Garden update (PDF)

Further information on William Champions Garden at Warmley may be found in our Journal Publication No.8 obtainable from the Museum or chairman@avongardenstrust.org.uk