Willsbridge Valley

A mighty oak in the forest

Willsbridge Valley is home to Avon Wildlife Trust's educational centre - Willsbridge Mill. The reserve attracts thousands of visitors each year, many from local schools and groups who are interested in learning more about the natural environment. Many adults and children use the site for recreation - walking, exercising dogs and informal pond-dipping are the most popular activities. The reserve borders Ventura Park, a large housing estate that has a high level of deprivation.  

A place for wildlife and people

The nature reserve contains a number of valuable habitats, including Siston Brook, four ponds, mature woodland – some of which formed part of the old Kingswood Forest, grassland, scrub and a wildlife garden.

The woodland is mainly of native species of tree and shrub, particularly ash and elder. Willow is found along the banks of the brook and there are sycamore and mature oak trees on the slopes of the valley. An area of hazel was planted in 1983 and coppiced, with the wood being used to create dead hedges (fences made of bushy cuttings).

The unimproved neutral, slightly acidic grassland is rich in meadow plants including Lousewort. There are anthills in the meadows.

The scrub includes bramble, a large copse of wild cherry, and self-seeded ash. The area is an important nesting site for nightingales.

The wildlife garden, although small, contains a spring-flowering meadow, a rockery and small rockery pond, a bed to attract bees and butterflies, a hedgerow, a raised planted bed and a mini woodland.

The whole site is highly valuable for a whole range of birds, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians.

Access for all

The reserve has accessible parking at its entrance on Willsbridge Hill and a number of routes are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, including the popular Wildlife Garden. Other paths leading towards the Dramway contain steep gradients but are well surfaced.

Become an eco-volunteer

The nature reserve is managed by Avon Wildlife Trust and relies on its many volunteers to help look after the educational centre, café and reserve. The staff at the mill are supported by a friends group who undertake a variety of jobs, including helping out with the popular events programme.

Join in the fun

A programme of events and activities on this Local Nature Reserve is listed on the council's 'What's On' webpage (see the 'Do it now' link) and the Avon Wildlife Trust's website. Search for events using the history/heritage category. The area is also visited on a number of 'Walking to Health' walks. These walks can be searched using the 'Active for life' category.

Things to look out for while your there 

• The colourful dragonflies darting across the ponds
• Tawny owls as they make their territories in the autumn
• Bluetits feeding from homemade seed dispensers
• Primroses in the wildlife garden in spring
• Bats flying around the grassland in search for moths

A Wild Roots site

The reserve receives support from the Heritage Lottery Funded project, Wild Roots. This is a community-based project that enables local people to identify, care for and celebrate important heritage sites within South Gloucestershire and the important historical routes that link them. The Wild Roots officer is working with the local community to develop a number of innovative heritage-focused projects. If you would like to get involved please contact us.

Getting there

On foot: A number of public rights of way, including the Dramway enter the reserve, with the main entrances along Beach Road and on Willsbridge Hill.

By bicycle: Willsbridge Mill is situated close to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path and Bitton Railway Station. A five minute ride from the station will get you to the reserve.

Bus: Bus services are available in the area with stops along Long Beach Road. Contact Traveline for further information on bus services on 0870 608 2608.

Car: The official car park for the reserve is situated along Long Beach Road. From there the mill is a short walk through the wooded valley. A car park is situated at Willsbridge Mill. This is signposted off Willsbridge Hill.

Additional information