Bristol Rocks
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Clifton Suspension Bridge

Places to Visit

The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the picturesque Avon Gorge, is the symbol of the city of Bristol. For almost 150 years this Grade I listed structure has attracted visitors from all over the world.

There's always something happening at Clifton Suspension Bridge! The Visitor Centre is open 10am - 5pm every day throughout the year, with free guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter - October. You may spot our volunteer 'Explainers' out on the bridge in orange high-vis jackets, ready to share amazing information about the history of the bridge with you!

Crossing the bridge is FREE for cyclists and pedestrians and £1 for all motor vehicles under 4 tonnes. Please be aware that there is no car park for the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre. General parking and the Blue Badge Parking Bays in the Leigh Woods layby have been suspended due to Toll House refurbishment works. Please visit our 'How to Find Us' page for more information on alternative travel by bus and on-street parking in the local area. We apologise for the inconvenience.

See our 'Events' page to find out what's on when you're visiting, use 'What's Nearby' to plan ahead and delve into our 'History' section to find out more about our wonderful bridge.

If you'd like to bring a group along, our 'Schools' and 'Groups' sections should provide you with all of the information you need to plan a successful day out!

Things to do when visiting the Clifton Suspension Bridge:

Pop in to the Visitor Centre: The Visitor Centre can be found in Leigh Woods. Entry is free and it's open from 10am - 5pm every day. Inside you'll find an exhibition about the history of the bridge and the people who worked on it, children's activities, toilets and a gift shop!

Visitor Centre

Take a free tour: Free tours of the bridge take place at 3pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday between Easter and October. There's no need to book - simply meet your friendly volunteer guide at the Clifton Toll Booth!

Bridge Tour

Book a hard hat tour of the Leigh Woods Vaults: Discovered in 2002, the hidden chambers of the Leigh Woods Abutment are part of the structure which supports the tower and holds up the bridge. Designed by Brunel, the chambers were lost to history until their accidental discovery. Find out more and book your tour on our events pages. (Available Easter to October).

Visitors explore the leigh woods vaults

Climb Observatory Hill: There's a spectactular view of the bridge from Observatory Hill in Clifton. Follow the footpaths to the top - and if you're feeling brave zoom back down on the Rock Slide, polished smooth by Bristolian bottoms over hundreds of years! For a small fee you can also visit the Camera Obscura and Giant's Cave at Clifton Observatory.

Observatory Hill

Visiting with the Family? Try our Children's Trail: Priced at £2.75, our Children's Trail comes with pencil crayons, stickers and a tear out postcard. It's packed with activities which will help younger visitors to learn about the bridge, Bristol and Brunel - and has plenty of useful information in it to help with school projects. Pick one up from the Visitor Centre shop, find out more here!

Children's Trail

Stay for the Illuminations: The lights on the Suspension Bridge are turned on every night half an hour before dusk and stay on until midnight. Enjoy a spectacular view of Bristol and the river too! A popular spot during long summer evenings, the White Lion Terrace at the Avon Gorge Hotel is the perfect place to relax with a cold beer or cream tea while you watch the sun set.

illuminations

Free tours run throughout the holidays until October, as well as a children's tour quiz and fact sheet available to purchase at the front desk.

While visiting, pick up a perfect hot chocolate from the Chapter and Holmes coffee cart at the bridge! Open every day, serving hot and cold drinks and amazing cakes! (Have you tried the toasted coconut and dark chocolate slices yet?)

Please be aware that there is no car park for the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre. General parking and the Blue Badge Parking Bays in the Leigh Woods layby have been suspended due to Toll House refurbishment works. Please visit 'How to Find Us' page for more information on alternative travel by bus and on-street parking in the local area.

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

For updated information visit: https://cliftonbridge.org.uk/visit-explore/visitor-centre/

Opening Hours

Monday10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday10:00 - 17:00
Thursday10:00 - 17:00
Friday10:00 - 17:00
Saturday10:00 - 17:00
Sunday10:00 - 17:00

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