This is one of our most exciting discoveries of recent adventures. On the edge of Bristol and only 20 minutes drive from Bath it’s a little piece of magic in the woods. A leafy woodland walk that winds alongside the river, sloping down towards the mill. There’s a friendly cafe, a magical fairy wood, river pontoon, pond dipping and wildlife garden to explore.
The Nature Reserve is a small part of the ancient Kingswood Forest which used to extend from The Severn to Lansdown in the South. The valley was once the site a former mill, quarry and coal dramway and you can see plenty of evidence of this as you stroll along the path towards the mill. It’s now an oasis of wildlife, foxes and badgers live in the valley and kingfishers can often be seen on the stream.
The Mill was built from pennant sandstone, a distinctive red rock that contrasts with limestone and calcareous mudstone found in much of the region. The iron rolling mill was constructed in 1712 on the site of Oldland Manor, powered by large water wheels. In the 1800’s the mill was rebuilt into a flour mill which operated into the 20th century until 1968 when heavy thunderstorms burst the dam wall.
The Cafe. Beside the mill is a friendly cafe with some delicious, freshly baked offerings, drinks and they do a mean bacon sandwich. Plenty of tables undercover and picnic benches dotted about.
The Fairy Garden. Download the map here. This is a magical wonderland of winding paths taking you past fairy doors, a fairy grotto, and all sorts of magical ornaments, statues, wind chimes and dreamcatchers and there’s a squirrel trail to find knitted squirrels in the trees!
The Wildlife Garden. The wildlife garden is verdant and bursting with interest. The concept is to inspire you with examples of how to make your garden a better home for wildlife. It’s an educations heaven for children and the creative installations pull you in to investigate more.
The Forest School. Kingfisher’s Forest School is based at Willsbridge Mill offering regular sessions for 1-5 year olds.
The History. You can learn more about the history of the site by following the Heritage Sculpture Trail or visit Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh who look after The Mill and have compiled an interesting page on the history of the site and some lovely old photos.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
BUGGY: I took the buggy (sturdy iCandy) and managed fine but, be warned, the paths are uneven, can be muddy and some exposed tree roots making it very bumpy.
DOGS. Dogs are welcome but signs ask to keep them on a lead.
LOCATION: The Dramway, Willsbridge, Bristol BS30 6EX
PARKING: Map. The car park is free and located north of the site, a fairly short walk through the woods to the mill.
TOILETS: There’s toilets in the cafe.