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Kingswood Heritage Museum Kingswood Heritage Museum is an 18th Century Brassmill and home to the Warmley Windmill & Grottoes

👻 FORGET THE FAMOUS BRISTOL GHOST STORIES…This Halloween, we're going a little closer to home. 🎃There are plenty of spoo...
18/10/2026

👻 FORGET THE FAMOUS BRISTOL GHOST STORIES…

This Halloween, we're going a little closer to home. 🎃

There are plenty of spooky stories, strange happenings and unexplained tales hiding in the history of Kingswood, Warmley, Mangotsfield, Staple Hill, Hanham and the surrounding area.

Some are old legends.
Some have been passed down through generations.
Some have a perfectly sensible explanation… perhaps. 👀

And some leave us wondering:

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of our favourite local spooky stories and mysterious tales – places you may have walked past hundreds of times without knowing what happened there.

🕯️ Strange sightings
👻 Ghostly tales
🌳 Mysterious places
📜 Old legends
😱 Stories that have been whispered about for generations

We're not promising that they're all true…
But that's half the fun, isn't it?

So keep an eye on our page as we count down to Halloween.

LOCAL HISTORY CAN BE A LITTLE BIT SPOOKY…

And sometimes, the strangest stories are right on your doorstep.

🎃 History is closer than you think.

Photo credit: andre-taissin-LBPU8K7loz8-unsplash

🎃 FROM OUR DOORSTEP TO THE WORLD OF HORROR…You might not recognise the name Graham Humphreys – but if you grew up watchi...
17/10/2026

🎃 FROM OUR DOORSTEP TO THE WORLD OF HORROR…

You might not recognise the name Graham Humphreys – but if you grew up watching horror films in the 1980s, you may well recognise his work. 👀

Graham is the artist behind some of the iconic painted artwork for films including The Evil Dead and A Nightmare on Elm Street. He has spent more than 40 years as an illustrator and designer, and is particularly known for his distinctive horror artwork, painted traditionally in gouache.

But here's the bit we love…

Graham has local roots.

He was brought up in Winterbourne Down, and his family had connections with Kingswood and Fishponds. His grandmother ran a shop on Church Road, while his father was born or spent his early years in The Di**le. His grandfather was a chimney sweep and gardener, and his grandmother was a tailor. Graham's parents later lived on Crossman Avenue, where Graham spent his early childhood before the family moved to Wiltshire.

He went on to study art at Salisbury College of Art, moved to London and built an extraordinary career in illustration. His first major horror commission came with The Evil Dead, followed a couple of years later by the UK poster for A Nightmare on Elm Street.

📚 Want to discover more of Graham’s work?

His book, A Nightmare on One Sheet, showcases his extraordinary horror artwork, including his famous film posters and a wealth of other paintings.

🎬 You can also watch Captured Souls: In Conversation with Graham Humphreys, a documentary exploring Graham’s life and career in his own words. And there’s an extra local connection: the film mentions his grandmother’s shop and even includes footage of the wooded quarry that once lay at the back of the garden!

👻 We thought we’d celebrate a rather different local connection this Halloween…

A boy with roots in Winterbourne Down, Kingswood and Fishponds went on to create some of the images that helped define horror cinema.

And we think that's pretty cool!

Have you ever seen Graham's artwork without realising the artist had local connections?

Which horror film poster do you remember best? 🎬👻

With thanks to Graham Humphreys for sharing his memories and family connections with us.

History is closer than you think… sometimes it’s hiding in a horror film. 🎃



Book link: https://www.koreropress.com/nightmare-on-one-sheet/
Link to documentary: https://24footsquare.com/products/captured-souls-in-conversation-with-graham-humphreys-limited-edition-blu-ray?variant=57370719158617

Pictures and photo credit: Graham Humphreys

🗺️✨ KINGSWOOD’S HISTORY, BROUGHT TO LIFE ON A MAP! ✨🗺️Have you seen the new illustrated Kingswood history map? It’s a wo...
16/10/2026

🗺️✨ KINGSWOOD’S HISTORY, BROUGHT TO LIFE ON A MAP! ✨🗺️

Have you seen the new illustrated Kingswood history map? It’s a wonderful way to explore the stories, places and memories that make our local area so special.

The map has grown out of local history walks and workshops, where people shared their memories, photographs and anecdotes. It’s a lovely example of what can happen when a community comes together to celebrate its heritage.

We’re delighted that Kingswood Heritage Museum has been able to support the project by lending historic photographs to help bring the map to life.

📸 It’s fantastic to see images from our collection helping to tell Kingswood’s story in a fresh and creative way.

A big thank you to Kingswood Town Council for leading this project, to local artist Ruth Hickson for the beautiful illustrations, and to everyone who contributed their memories and knowledge. Thanks also to local artist Maddie McGowan and the Kingswood History Society for their involvement.

The project was funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

📍 The maps will soon be available to collect from local businesses and organisations, with more details to follow. You can also pick one up from us next time you visit the museum.

We love seeing local history shared in new ways and reaching more people. ❤️

History is closer than you think!

🔗 Follow the project and find out more:
Kingswood Town Council: https://www.facebook.com/KTCou
Ruth Hickson: https://www.facebook.com/ruthhicksondesign

🍂🍁 HALF-TERM FUN – GET CRAFTY AT KINGSWOOD HERITAGE MUSEUM! 🍁🍂Looking for something fun to do with the kids this half-te...
14/10/2026

🍂🍁 HALF-TERM FUN – GET CRAFTY AT KINGSWOOD HERITAGE MUSEUM! 🍁🍂

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this half-term? Come and get creative with us! 🎨✂️

🍂 AUTUMN CRAFTS FOR KIDS 🦔

📅 Tuesday 27 October
⏰ 2pm–4pm

Choose your favourite and make an autumn decoration to take home!

🍁 Create a cute AUTUMN GONK 🎅🍂
🦔 Or make an adorable AUTUMN HEDGEHOG 🍂

✨ The best bit? The activities are FREE with adult museum entry!

🎟️ Adults £5
👧 Children go FREE!

And there’s plenty more to explore while you’re here! 👀

🌬️ Peer inside our historic windmill
⛏️ Climb through a mock mine shaft
🏛️ Discover fascinating local history
☕ Finish off with a treat or a drink at the Windmill Café.

So bring the children, let their imaginations run wild and enjoy an autumn afternoon full of creativity, discovery and a little bit of muddy-boot history!

📍 Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8XT

🍂 History isn’t something you just read about… come and get your hands on it!

✨ MEMORY LANE: LIONEL BLAIR IN DOWNEND! ✨Some of the photographs in the Kingswood Heritage Museum collection capture mom...
13/10/2026

✨ MEMORY LANE: LIONEL BLAIR IN DOWNEND! ✨

Some of the photographs in the Kingswood Heritage Museum collection capture moments when familiar faces from television came to visit our local area – and this month we’re digging out a real television favourite.

🎩 Lionel Blair!

Born Henry Lionel Ogus in Montreal, Canada, Lionel Blair became one of Britain's best-known entertainers. A dancer, choreographer, actor and television presenter, he was a familiar face on our screens from the 1960s onwards.

For many of us, he will always be remembered as the wonderfully flamboyant team captain on Give Us a Clue, where he appeared alongside Una Stubbs from 1979 onwards. He also presented Name That Tune in the 1980s and had a long career on stage, television and film.

But these photographs aren't from a television studio…

📸 They show Lionel Blair visiting the NSPCC Young League at Downend Mill in the late 1980s.

Imagine being there – and suddenly finding Lionel Blair turning up at your local event!

These photographs are part of Kingswood Heritage Museum's extensive collection of images recording the people, places and events that have been part of our local story.

Were you there when Lionel Blair visited Downend?

Do you recognise anyone in the photographs? Perhaps you, a friend, a relative – or maybe you remember the visit itself?

We'd love to hear your memories. 👇

📸 Photographs: Kingswood Heritage Museum collection

History is closer than you think.

🌳 WHAT WAS KINGSWOOD PARK BEFORE IT WAS A PARK?And what has it got to do with Tizer, pies and KP crisps? 🤔Quite a lot, a...
12/10/2026

🌳 WHAT WAS KINGSWOOD PARK BEFORE IT WAS A PARK?

And what has it got to do with Tizer, pies and KP crisps? 🤔

Quite a lot, as it turns out!

📣 GOOD NEWS! DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, WE’VE ADDED A SECOND TALK!

Alan Bryant’s talk on Wednesday 14 October is now FULLY BOOKED, so we’re delighted that Alan will be repeating it on Monday 19 October at 7.30pm.

🌳 STORIES OF KINGSWOOD

Join us at Kingswood Heritage Museum for an evening of fascinating local history, surprising connections and stories about the place on our doorstep.

Our speaker, Alan Bryant, museum curator, historian and author, will take us back to the days when the area was part of Kingswood Forest, tracing the history of the land that eventually became Kingswood Park.

But there’s much more to discover…

🍽️ What about the food?

Alan will explore some of the local products and flavours that have made their mark, including:

🥤 Tizer – and its Kingswood connection
🥔 Flavourings for KP Crisps, made in Honeyhill Road
🥧 Clarks pies
🌭 Lucas and Pinjar
🥫 Grains, faggots and pickles

…and plenty more!

Expect fascinating stories, local characters and surprising facts that might make you look at Kingswood in a whole new light.

📅 Monday 19 October 2026
⏰ 7.30pm
🎟️ £4.50, including light refreshments

📍 Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8XT

⚠️ Places are limited, so please contact the museum to reserve your place.

Missed out on the first talk? Now’s your chance!

❤️ History is closer than you think.

🎃🏮 MUSEUM AT NIGHT – LEGENDS & LANTERNS 🏮🎃Sunday 25 October | 6–9pmFancy seeing Kingswood Heritage Museum after dark? 👻C...
11/10/2026

🎃🏮 MUSEUM AT NIGHT – LEGENDS & LANTERNS 🏮🎃
Sunday 25 October | 6–9pm

Fancy seeing Kingswood Heritage Museum after dark? 👻

Come and explore the Museum by fairy light, meet characters from our past, hear some of our strange and spooky local stories, and discover the history of Kingswood in a completely different atmosphere.

And this year there’s something extra special… AFTER DARK AT THE GROTTOES! 🌙🔦 For the first time, our mysterious 18th-century grottoes will be open after dark. Bring a torch, wear suitable footwear and, if you’re feeling brave, venture into the tunnels! Are you brave enough to go searching deeper? 👀

🎟️ Adults £8.50 | Children £3.50
Tickets include a glass of w**e for adults and a Halloween party bag for children. Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Drop in any time between 6pm and 9pm.

🎃 Perfect for families, history lovers and anyone who enjoys a little mystery.
Come and see the Museum as you’ve never seen it before… in the dark!

📍 Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8XT

History is closer than you think… sometimes it’s hiding in the dark. 👻

🔎 OBJECT OF THE MONTH: MYSTERIOUS PIPESThis month’s Object of the Month has caught the eye of Hari, one of our volunteer...
10/10/2026

🔎 OBJECT OF THE MONTH: MYSTERIOUS PIPES

This month’s Object of the Month has caught the eye of Hari, one of our volunteers and historical researchers.

And what has drawn him in?

These rather mysterious smoking pipes from our collection. 👀

Hari thinks they’re “kinda cool” – and we can see why!

They are in Hari's words, delicate, fragile and intricate. Not quite what you might imagine when you think of an old smoking pipe. You might picture something big, chunky and serious… but these are something altogether different.

They’re a lovely chalky white, with long, slender stems and beautifully decorated bowls. Look closely and you’ll see carved faces, mysterious characters and intricate patterns.

But what exactly are they made from? 🤔

Are they clay pipes?

And where did they come from?

The patterning has an almost Chinese-inspired feel to it, which only adds to the mystery. We don't currently know the full story behind these particular pipes – and that's part of what makes them so intriguing.

Hari is fascinated by objects like these: small, easily overlooked pieces of the past that leave us with more questions than answers.

👀 Take a good look at the photo. What do you think?

Do you know what these pipes are made from, where they might have come from, or what the unusual faces and patterns represent?

We’d love to hear your ideas!

History is closer than you think… sometimes you just have to look closely.

🎄 Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 🎄Create your own beautiful Christmas wreath at Kingswood Heritage Museum!Get into the...
09/10/2026

🎄 Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 🎄

Create your own beautiful Christmas wreath at Kingswood Heritage Museum!

Get into the festive spirit and join us for a relaxed, creative morning making your own Christmas wreath. Whether you prefer something traditional and natural or want to add your own personal touches, you’ll have the chance to create a unique decoration to welcome Christmas into your home.

🌿 What’s included?

All the materials and resources you need to make your wreath are included in the ticket price. We’ll have plenty for you to get creative, but if there’s something special you’d particularly like to incorporate, please feel free to bring it along.

After all that creativity, enjoy a festive tea break with delicious mince pies, Christmas nibbles, and plenty of tea and coffee.

Please bring your own gardening gloves if you prefer to wear them while working with foliage and other materials.

🎁 Event details

📅 Sunday 6 December 2026

🕚 Starting at 11am

📍 Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8XT

🎟️ Tickets: £35 per person – includes all wreath-making materials and festive refreshments.

Come along, get creative and enjoy a little festive cheer with us. You’ll leave with your own handmade wreath and a lovely start to the Christmas season!

We look forward to welcoming you.

Address

Tower Lane, Warmley
Bristol
BS308XT

Opening Hours

Tuesday 2pm - 5pm
Saturday 2pm - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Telephone

+441179605664

Website

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