Clifton Observatory and Caves
Clifton Observatory and Caves
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Clifton Observatory and Caves sits above the Avon Gorge offering superb views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the city of Bristol. The Observatory houses one of the only camera obscuras still open to the public in the UK. Originally built as a windmill for corn in 1766, the mill was later taken over by William West in 1828 who then converted the building into his own artist studio and installed the camera obscura, which is still working today. The camera offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Avon Gorge & Clifton Downs. During his time at the Observatory West also cut an underground passage to the Giant's Cave which was originally only accessible via the cliff face. After a short descent into the cave guests can enjoy the spectacular views along the Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge. The Observatory is open to visitors 7 days a week from 10am - 5pm in Spring/Summer and 10am-4pm in Autumn/Winter with last entry being 15 minutes before closing time.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.0
556 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
205
Average
79
Poor
19
Terrible
19
Mark
London, UK72 contributions
May 2021 • Family
A visit to the Bristol Observatory is a must for any visitor. The absolutely stunning views at any time of day or year… it’s a location that you will want to return to.
The cafe has a lovely roof terrace with views of the suspension bridge, and a great selection of drinks, all reasonably priced. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. We are really looking forward to our next visit!
I would particularly recommend the camembert focaccia, it was delicious! My son was particularly impressed with the selection of slushes and ice cream!
The cafe has a lovely roof terrace with views of the suspension bridge, and a great selection of drinks, all reasonably priced. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. We are really looking forward to our next visit!
I would particularly recommend the camembert focaccia, it was delicious! My son was particularly impressed with the selection of slushes and ice cream!
Written 24 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather B
United Kingdom8 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
On a weekend break to bristol, we wandered up from the city centre, taking our time to stop and look at sights, really lovely shops and cafes especially in the Clifton area. We were so impressed by the views of the suspension bridge and by the tower itself. Very informative.
We also went down into the 'giants cave'- definitely not built by giants!!! Its very narrow and steep, but very good fun. Only a certain number can go in at once, but the staff are incredibly friendly, communicate well, and we didn't have to wait long. The views from the cave are great, and overall its a fun thing to see/ experience for a couple of hours.There is a toilet with a code which staff can give you.
We also went down into the 'giants cave'- definitely not built by giants!!! Its very narrow and steep, but very good fun. Only a certain number can go in at once, but the staff are incredibly friendly, communicate well, and we didn't have to wait long. The views from the cave are great, and overall its a fun thing to see/ experience for a couple of hours.There is a toilet with a code which staff can give you.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wisewonderer1223
Bristol, UK536 contributions
Aug 2021
We attended an evening open air roof top live music event here, it was truly amazing. We were very lucky with wonderful weather, to listen to the string quartet playing Vivaldi pieces looking round at the stunning views as the sun started to set was an unforgettable romantic even experience topped off with some hot air balloons flying over the suspension bridge! The observatory was a great venue, the staff were really helpful. There is a bar and a cafe in the day time which we are going to return visit for. It is a shame that there is no parking near by.
Written 30 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Sheffield, UK48 contributions
Aug 2021
Visited on quite a dull day so maybe that didn't help our experience. Place opens at 10.00. Arrived around 10.15 and decided to have a coffee first. Indoor seating for 360 Cafe not open and orders are taken at a little window. Unfortunately, they had 'run out' of cow's milk and only had soya, oat and almond milk on offer. Not sure how that happens as they had only just opened but we decided not to bother. Paid to go into the Camera Obscura (bearing in mind they opened at 10.00) and found the cleaners were still cleaning the place, hoovering the stairs and mopping the floors, which made them quite slippy. As my 88 year old father was with us, I was a bit concerned about this.
As I said, the weather wasn't great but we managed to see some things on the camera.
Explored the cave (88 year old didn't!!!), the stairs/steps quite challenging. Maybe the person on the desk could count people going in/coming out as it was uncomfortable - in these COVID times - to have to squeeze past people on the steep, narrow steps.
By the way, cafe still had no cow's milk when we came out. Maybe someone could have nipped tio the shop?
As I said, the weather wasn't great but we managed to see some things on the camera.
Explored the cave (88 year old didn't!!!), the stairs/steps quite challenging. Maybe the person on the desk could count people going in/coming out as it was uncomfortable - in these COVID times - to have to squeeze past people on the steep, narrow steps.
By the way, cafe still had no cow's milk when we came out. Maybe someone could have nipped tio the shop?
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G G
London, UK80 contributions
Jun 2021
The caves are an interesting idea, and the view of the bridge is probably very good, but don't even think about going if you're over 5 feet tall or have any problems with claustrophobia. We clearly went there on a busy day, because it soon became clear we would never make it to the bottom of the caves. There are a number of places where it's impossible for two people to pass, so unless the place is empty you'll be going backwards and forwards until you give up or have a panic attack (as someone did when we were attempting to get access). The camera obscura is quaint, but not worth the effort. The cafe is being badly affected by pandemic rules, so the choice of food or drink is hopeless. It turns out there's plenty of choice in the cafe itself, which is currently off-limits to the public.
Written 6 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martyn P
Welshpool, UK23 contributions
Feb 2020
A great little attraction that costs £4 per person. You can see the camera obscura which is an amazing piece of optical ingenuity that allows you to view the surrounding area even on a dull day. Very clever optics. You can also visit the Giant's cave which opens out onto the steep hillside overlooking the river and the suspension bridge. However, this part of the venue is not for the very old or infirm. There are a lot of quite steep steps to negotiate.
There is a cafe and toilets on site.
There is a cafe and toilets on site.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pblaings
Potters Bar, UK68 contributions
Jan 2022
Worth walking up to where the observatory is for the views of the bridge and river. We didn't pay to go up to the top of the observatory but did pay for the caves. £3 is a bit much to pay to walk down very steep steps which don't go down very far. The Observatory does have a nice cafe but I can imagine that in the summer it must be very difficult to get a table
Written 11 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola M
7 contributions
Jan 2020
This cafe could be so much more with only pre packed sandwiches on offer. Pretty expensive really and we had the most gritty hot chocolate ever - not worth the £3 price tag. As an aside I didn't much like being called "my lovely" by the server - it was said with an edge and left me feeling quite uncomfortable.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy S
Basingstoke, UK260 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Personally the site is very interesting, with extensive history and stunning views. I’d go again (this is my 3rd visit)
If you visit, the door of the shop, that suggests its an exit, is actually the entrance, the giants cave entrance is from with the same is shop. Any issues ask at the window to the cafe...
More of a message to the managers that generally the staff are unfriendly and extremely unhelpful. The guy at the shop was unwelcoming, unfriendly and told us repeatedly that the loos were round the corner.... round the corner on a circle. With a child obviously struggling.
If you visit, the door of the shop, that suggests its an exit, is actually the entrance, the giants cave entrance is from with the same is shop. Any issues ask at the window to the cafe...
More of a message to the managers that generally the staff are unfriendly and extremely unhelpful. The guy at the shop was unwelcoming, unfriendly and told us repeatedly that the loos were round the corner.... round the corner on a circle. With a child obviously struggling.
Written 27 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve B
Nottingham, UK310 contributions
Jun 2022
This can be visited at the same time as visiting Clifton Suspension Bridge, they are virtually next door to each other. If you use the, Tootbus Bristol Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Tour, the nearest stop (7) is 10 minues walk away.
The camera obscura is fairly small but the tower has interesting information about it and how it works.
Unless you are fairly fit and agile don't bother with the tunnel/cave down to the viewing platform as the view is not worth it for the effort, you can see better views from the bridge and the observatory grounds. The observatory buildings has a nice little cafe with outside seating on two levels. If you need to use the toilet facilities you will need to ask for the door code.
The camera obscura is fairly small but the tower has interesting information about it and how it works.
Unless you are fairly fit and agile don't bother with the tunnel/cave down to the viewing platform as the view is not worth it for the effort, you can see better views from the bridge and the observatory grounds. The observatory buildings has a nice little cafe with outside seating on two levels. If you need to use the toilet facilities you will need to ask for the door code.
Written 23 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where can I park for the Clifton observatory ?
Written 11 August 2022
not sure as we went by train and walked but i think there is parking on the road at the bottom but i am not sure
Written 13 August 2022
The Clifton Observatory does not have a dedicated parking. On street parking is available near the Observatory in Clifton Village and the Clifton & Durdham Downs. Please note parking in Clifton Village is now pay and display.
Written 3 September 2018
Beth B
Bristol, United Kingdom
Hi HayleycUK,
Generally dogs are not allowed into the Observatory, except assistance dogs. We believe the narrow and steep staircases are unsuitable for them. Fortunately the Downs just outside the Observatory is a lovely area for dog walks.
Thanks,
Beth
Marketing Manager
Clifton Observatory
Written 19 February 2017
Are you open on Monday 9th May. thank you. Gordon
Written 2 May 2016
Sorry no but should be able to find out on website. I have been in winter and its been open.
Written 4 May 2016
Beth B
Bristol, United Kingdom
Hi Sharon,
Apologies for the delay in response. As others have already posted, here are the prices for the Observatory:
Camera Obscura & Viewing Platform – Adults: £2.50 | Children (Under 14): £1.50
Giant’s cave – Adults: £2.50 | Children (Under 14): £1.50
Entrance to both – Adults: £4.00 | Children (Under 14): £2.50
Kind regards,
Beth
The Clifton Observatory
Written 14 September 2015
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