William Champion was a Quaker industrialist who moved his copper,brass and zinc spelter works to Warmley in the 1740's. He may have intended the area to become an industrial community, for, besides the rows of furnaces, the windmill and the clock tower building, he constructed terraced housing for his workers
On a rise close to the works, Champion built his own house.
For his quiet pleasure he laid out gardens in the fashion of the time, with a mound, an elm walk,a semi-circular pond and a series of grottoes.
Since he also dammed the brook to provide water for his works, a 13 acre lake was formed, and in the centre Champion placed an enormous concrete statue of Neptune, decorated with slag from the works.
Historical Background
In its heyday the works at Warmley were the biggest producers in Europe, with hundreds of workers. Champion brought in ore from the Mendips, and local coal, and the whole process was completed on site, from raw materials to finished brass sheets, implements and wire for pin making
Champion, however, overstretched himself with many schemes - including a grand plan for a floating harbour in Bristol. When his patent was not renewed he was forced to sell up. In later centuries, other industries, such as ceramic pipes (Haskins) and cosmetic ingredients (Dalton Young) used the site. It was finally abandoned in the 1980's and the buildings fell into disrepair,
The furnaces and many of the original buildings have now gone or been altered. The workers houses have been demolished and Champion's house has become a nursing home. The gardens and grottoes have been neglected and the lake drained to accomodate a mobile home park. However, Neptune still stands on his island, minus his arms, crown, and trident, but nonetheless an impressive sight.
The Present
The main
factory building has been given a new lease of life as the home for Kingswood
Heritage Museum; and visitors can see many of the original features from
the 18th and 19th centuries. Most outstanding are the ice-house and the
windmill tower - both scheduled ancient monuments.
Close by stands the 18th century building known as the Clocktower - the first purpose built pin factory. It is now run as a community facility providing art, craft and other classes and support groups for young girls and mothers.