IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Ludlow Close, BRISTOL, BS30 6EB

In the distance is the southern portal of Willsbridge Tunnel, the longest on the A&GR at 150yds. There is quite a steep gradient from there down to the road, now the A431. This follows the course of the Via Julia, the Roman Road that linked Bath with South Wales & Carmarthen, via a ferry crossing of the River Severn at Aust. (For my 2019 photo see Image).

In the distance is the southern portal of Willsbridge Tunnel, the longest on the A&GR at 150yds. There is quite a steep gradient from there down to the road, now the A431. This follows the course of the Via Julia, the Roman Road that linked Bath with South Wales & Carmarthen, via a ferry crossing of the River Severn at Aust. (For my 1966 photo see Image).

The 156 yards long Willsbridge Hill Tunnel of the Avon & Gloucestershire Railway had 2 ventilation shafts, 200 feet apart. Unusually the southern one was square and the northern one round! This difference can be made out here - I didn't take a photo of the round one, perhaps the approaching cow discouraged me! The missing bricks are a bit odd. During WWII the tunnel was used as an air-raid shelter and these 2 shafts were covered to prevent light escaping; I can only surmise that the bricks were knocked out to improve ventilation. After the war the tunnel was used to grow mushrooms. For a photo of the southern approach to the tunnel see: Image

Willsbridge Mill is the Avon Wildlife’s Trust's main visitor centre, set in a 22 acre nature reserve which has interesting walks. In the early 1800’s it was an iron mill, and later became a flour mill. More information http://www.radisol.co.uk/districtweb/main-site/history-willsbridge-mill.htm

Metal plate attached to stone post by the A431, in parish of OLDLAND (SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE District), Bath Road, Willsbridge, next to entrance No.63, against wall, on North East side of road. Bristol incised iron plate, erected by the Bristol turnpike trust in the 18th century. Inscription reads:- : To / Bristol / 5 : Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1116198 Milestone Society National ID: GL_BRBA05.

From Bath Road through Willsbridge Valley Local Nature Reserve.

Once a thriving industrial place, featuring a slaughterhouse, tannery, milling, quarrying and coal-mining, it has lost almost all of its original employers. Having been taken into the care of the Avon Wildlife Trust it has been developed as a peaceful wooded valley and is home to many species of plants, insects and animals - including several rare examples. It is part of the Forest of Avon and visitors can see the sculpture trail and look around the restored mill.

An old and rather neglected milestone still has some information to guide travellers. In better days you would have understood it is 5 miles to Bristol and 7 to Bath. Mind you, at least the iron plate remains - unlike many others.

The valley was once home to some heavy industries before becoming a nature reserve. This substantial marker lends weight to the impression given to visitors.

The Siston Brook makes a momentary dive under a tunnel, close to the old mill.