Points of Interest Points of Interest continued A Warmley The signal box here is very well G Bristol This very popular 13 mile path, open Station preserved. The sidings here were for and Bath to both cyclists and walkers was coal and red ochre destined for the Railway constructed on the track bed of the works at Wick. The station itself was Path former Midland Railway which closed declared redundant in 1965. to passenger traffic towards the end of the 1960s. B Midland This pub was formerly known as the Spinner Midland Railway Inn and was popular Public with local workers. The Warmley Within South Gloucestershire lie many hidden treasures House Crown Colliery was adjacent to the that have helped shape the landscape as we know it today. Points of Interest 4General pub. START/FINISH POINT Natural, industrial and cultural forces have played a part in At Warmley Station, making up the local environment that we live and work in. C Evidence The peaceful surroundings of Warmley Station Close, off High Warmley Forest Park lies on the site of former of Forest Park as it is now contrasts Wild Roots is an innovative Heritage Lottery Funded, three Street, Warmley (A420). extensive clay quarrying. Until recently it lay derelict, quarrying greatly with the site fifty or more year project that is working with local communities to This is a disused but is now popular with local residents for walks and for clay years ago when clay was quarried conserve, enhance and celebrate the natural and cultural station on what is now runs. and the at the site. You can see evidence pottery of this activity if you look carefully; heritage of South Gloucestershire. the Bristol to Bath Evidence of this industrial activity is in the form industry depressions, small mounds and Railway Path. : www.southglos.gov.uk/wildroots ✆ 01454 863581 of earthbanks and ponds that represent filled in ponds. quarries. Piles of old bricks can also be seen at a BUSES D Siston Siston Common dates back to the number of locations within the park. 43, 43a, 319, 634, 635 Common time that most fields were enclosed in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The areas adjacent to the Forest Park are also of PARKING Running alongside the road here (access is free from your local library) local your from free is (access interest, including features such as evidence of Further information In the Station Car Park coalmining on Siston Common. remains of the Dramway can be seen in the form of limestone blocks. Friends of the Commons and Warmley Forest Park Alongside the Park are the remains of the Dramway The common is designated as a site : www.southglos.gov.uk/friendsgroups ✆ 01454 868000 REFRESHMENTS and former Midland Railway line between Bristol and of importance for nature conservation, Pubs nearby in Kingswood Heritage Museum Bath (now the Bristol and Bath Railway Path) with many wildflowers and grasses Warmley/Station Café offering food and shelter to insects, : www.kingswoodheritagemuseum.org.uk ✆ 0117 960 5664 www.southglos.gov.uk (seasonal) The park and common are home to a surprisingly birds, bats and other mammals. • Bristol to Bath Railway Path diverse range of plants and animals. Dragonflies and 2380 TOILETS : www.bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk damselflies can be seen flitting across the ponds E Siston Hill The remains of this quarry can be Next to the station Colliery seen alongside Norman Road. Booklets about the Dramway and The Bristol to Bath Railway and in summer a display of wildflowers colour this CE&CR • Path are available from South Gloucestershire Council 0 beautiful area. A number of ‘veteran’ tree species F The The Dramway path is a 9 mile walk can be seen on the section between the Forest Park Dramway that follows sections of the route of a Walking the Way to Health in South Gloucestershire and Siston Common. Path 19th Century tramway which carried : www.southglos.gov.uk/walkingtohealth ✆ 01454 868006 recycled paper paper recycled coal from Coalpit Heath in the Bristol coalfield down to the River Avon. It was a horse drawn railway and got its name from the ‘drams’ or carts that carried the coal. Along this section you can see limestone blocks to which the tracks are fixed. Clay pipe works, Warmley Design & Print Services • Printed on Printed • Services Print & Design 5 Now go straight on into the woodland and join a grassy ride. This can be muddy so take care. Keep going on this to meet a path running roughly north-south. Veer slightly to the right to follow this Heritage walks - waLking to heaLth path as it runs parallel to the hedgerow to your left. 6 At the top of the field, turn left and go through an ‘easy access’ gate. Then go straight on, following KEY a feint grassy path which slopes downwards. short walk long walk 7 At a 3 way junction, take the right hand path and continue as it veers right around scrubby woodland and then parallel to a hedge. Keep Longer Walk 42.5 miles going on this path so that the road is on your left and hedge on your right. 8 Upon reaching the road, cross carefully and veer Shorter Walk his lovely route affords great views towards left to descend a track marked as ‘Siston Hill’. 41 mile T Bath, the Cotswold escarpment and back Descend to reach a bridge where you must cross into Kingswood. An area of great historical Follow instructions the Ring Road to reach Siston Common (D). interest with sites including the Dramway, colliery 1-4 then On the opposite side, turn left down a track, workings and evidence of quarrying. descend to reach a road, cross and then descend 1 Turn left and walk Warning: Parts of the route through Warmley again. Upon reaching the next road, cross the parallel to the brow of Forest Park can get very muddy after rain, so central reservation and turn left and continue the hill. Keep going to sturdy walking boots are highly recommended. along this cycle/walk way. reach another gravel Site of Siston Hill Colliery 1 At Warmley Station (A), turn left out of car park track. At this track 9 Keep going until you reach a tunnel under the onto the High Street and continue to reach the turn left and descend. Ring Road. Upon exiting the tunnel, go straight entrance to Warmley Forest Park after about Just beyond the hard on and onto a wider track and then a paved road. 200 metres. You can see the Midland Spinner standing area to your At the roundabout, turn left and walk along the Public House (B) on the opposite side of the right, go straight on pavement. At the other side of the tunnel, turn road. and keep going as the right and cross the road. Go straight ahead onto path veers to the left. 2 Turn left to enter the Park near the access road a grassy path and keep going to reach a narrow opposite the ‘Build Centre’. Go through an ‘easy road. If you look left you can see where Siston 2 Descend slightly to access’ gate onto a path adjacent to Siston Hill Colliery (E) once stood. Cross this road, turn reach the Dramway Brook. right and follow the signs for the ‘Dramway Path’ Path (E) which (F) and continue through a tunnel. crosses your route. 3 Keep going on this path until you reach a large Here turn left and open area ahead and take a sharp left turn 10 Continue to reach a major path junction, turn continue on the onto a gravel track. Hooks Pond is to your right. right and go immediately through an ‘easy access’ Dramway back to the Continue to a track junction, turn right and gate . High Street. The start ascend the hill. 11 Turn left and walk along the Railway path (G) to location is on your 4 At the top of the hill you can pause to admire return to Warmley Station. right. N the view southwards and to study Evidence of © Copyright South Gloucestershire Council quarrying (C) around you. All rights reserved LA100023410, 2007.