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Bridge
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Grade I listed suspension bridge over the Avon Gorge, opened in 1864. The bridge trust says pedestrians and cyclists cross free.
Directions Website Report a problem with Clifton Suspension Bridge
A mini guide to
Clifton & the Suspension Bridge
Georgian terraces, the Downs and Brunel's bridge above the Avon Gorge
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
Georgian terraces, the Downs and Brunel's bridge above the Avon Gorge
Clifton sits on high ground above the Avon Gorge and Hotwells. Its Georgian terraces, Royal York Crescent and the independent shops around Boyce's Avenue and The Mall give it a village feel close to the city centre. The Clifton Suspension Bridge opened in 1864, built to a design by William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw based on an earlier plan by Brunel, and links Clifton to Leigh Woods.
Clifton Down, part of the Downs, stretches north from the village and is used for walking and team sports. Clifton Observatory, a former mill, has a camera obscura, while Clifton Cathedral, the Lido and the Royal West of England Academy are a short walk from the village centre.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Observatory
Clifton Observatory
Former windmill and snuff mill on Clifton Down, converted into an observatory with a camera obscura and Giant's Cave.
Directions Website Report a problem with Clifton Observatory
Georgian terrace
Royal York Crescent
Residential crescent above Hotwells with a promenade and views over the Floating Harbour and much of the city.
Parkland
Clifton Down
Open space north of Clifton village that, with Durdham Down, forms the Downs, used for walking and team sports.
Cathedral
Clifton Cathedral
Roman Catholic cathedral of Bristol, Grade II* listed, the first cathedral built under guidelines that followed the Second Vatican Council.
Shopping arcade
Clifton Arcade
Victorian shopping arcade in Clifton Village with more than 20 independent shops and businesses, according to its website.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Clifton & the Suspension Bridge and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Cross the bridge on foot
The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust says the bridge is open 24 hours a day and crossing is free for pedestrians and cyclists. Its free visitor centre is on the Leigh Woods side.
2
See the gorge from the Observatory
Clifton Observatory sits above the gorge on Clifton Down. Check Visit Bristol or the Observatory for opening times and the camera obscura.
3
Wander the village
The Mall, Regent Street, Boyce's Avenue and the Clifton Arcade are within a few minutes of each other. The arcade lists more than 20 independent shops and businesses.
4
Allow for hills
Clifton is some 300 feet (91 metres) above Hotwells, so routes up from the harbour are steep. Buses and the walk from the centre both involve a climb.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Clifton & the Suspension Bridge
Bristol
More areas to explore
12 sights · 18 places to eat
Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier
Street art, independent venues and Georgian squares north of the centre
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 21 places to eat
Redcliffe, Temple Meads & Bedminster
Brunel's station, a great parish church and the murals of Bedminster
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 15 places to eat
Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton Court
Woods, hillforts and parkland either side of the gorge, with Hotwells at its foot
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Clifton & the Suspension Bridge (area photo): Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clifton Suspension Bridge: Gothick, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Clifton Observatory: Neiljforsyth, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Royal York Crescent: TPBreeze, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Clifton Down: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clifton Cathedral: Tadeusz Hare, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Clifton Arcade: Neil Owen, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bristol Lido: Nick from Bristol, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- Royal West of England Academy: Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan), CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Christ Church Clifton: Tadeusz Hare, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Clifton Down Camp: Eirian Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hope Chapel: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Mall Gardens: Robert Eva, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stokes Croft, St Pauls & Montpelier: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Redcliffe, Temple Meads & Bedminster: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton Court: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Whiteladies Road & Redland: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gloucester Road & Bishopston: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Harbourside & Millennium Square: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Old City, King Street & Park Street: Hyspaosines, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits