Open Country

The Stones of Snuff Mills


Listen Later

Tucked away in a wooded valley on the outskirts of Bristol is a magical woodland nature reserve, Snuff Mills. Helen Mark discovers what lies beneath the trees, a now peaceful place with a history of heavy industry, where milling and stone quarrying has left behind a stunning playground for walkers and climbers. Local residents John, Beryl and Margaret grew up next to the quarry and witnessed its transformation from their secret playground to a busy public park. Engineer Geoff Wallis helped to literally unearth a fascinating piece of industrial history, and Steve England shows Helen the natural secrets of the valley.

Following the stones of the quarry Helen crosses the river and finds the grounds of what was once Bristol’s asylum and – Helen hears from volunteer Anwyl Cooper-Willis - a landscape carefully designed to be therapeutic for patients and speed their recovery. But where does the name Snuff Mills come from? Is it really one of the most haunted places in Bristol? And which Hollywood star has a connection with the Asylum's story?

Presented by Helen Mark

Produced by Beth Sagar-Fenton
Assistant production by Ellie Richold
Series Producer: Emma Campbell

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Open CountryBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

83 ratings


More shows like Open Country

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,678 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,045 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,539 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,816 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,822 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,049 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,033 Listeners

Desert Island Discs by BBC Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

2,034 Listeners

Great Lives by BBC Radio 4

Great Lives

516 Listeners

Saturday Live by BBC Radio 4

Saturday Live

40 Listeners

Farming Today by BBC Radio 4

Farming Today

67 Listeners

Gardeners' Question Time by BBC Radio 4

Gardeners' Question Time

283 Listeners

The Food Programme by BBC Radio 4

The Food Programme

265 Listeners

Scotland Outdoors by BBC Radio Scotland

Scotland Outdoors

247 Listeners

Ramblings by BBC Radio 4

Ramblings

158 Listeners

The Plodcast by Our Media

The Plodcast

103 Listeners

Gardening with the RHS by Royal Horticultural Society

Gardening with the RHS

259 Listeners

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast by National Trust

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

98 Listeners

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle by BBC World Service

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle

4,179 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,161 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

758 Listeners

As the Season Turns by Ffern

As the Season Turns

230 Listeners

Life Changing by BBC Radio 4

Life Changing

71 Listeners

A Life More Wild by Canopy & Stars

A Life More Wild

24 Listeners

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth by Gyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

543 Listeners