Potters Wood Methodist Church
Mount Hill
The detailed maps of Kingswood depict a purely flat surface, and fail to indicate that the town is build on the top of one of the hills surrounding Bristol. Potters Wood is located near the hilltop, on the south facing slope. Further downhill, towards Hanham, the slope increases, and becomes quite steep. Mount Hill is an area of grassland at the top of the slope, and commands a good view of the south side of Bristol. There is little wonder that John Wesley chose this spot to preach to the miners of Kingswood.
It is still a good place to be. The Council have declared the area as parkland, and have built a pulpit at the top of the slope. They have also built a tall mast, with a green light at the top, which can be seen for miles around when darkness has fallen.
Ian White chose this place to make one of his last speeches as President of the Methodist Conference, in 2003. An early morning service is held here regularly, on Easter Day.
The picture above is a thumbnail image. If you click on it, and wait a few seconds, a much clearer image will be downloaded.
On a clear day you can see the television mast on the other side of the Mendip hills, just above the town of Wells. During the Bristol Balloon Festival in August, the wind usually drifts the balloons from Ashton Gate towards Hanham, and Mount Hill provides a good viewpoint. On Guy Faulkes night, the fireworks erupting from random points all over Bristol also provide an impressive sight.
Mount Hill is within easy walking distance of Potters Wood Church.