| Clifton Suspension Bridge tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bristol locals. • 45 Photos
• 27 Reviews
See all Bristol Things To Do |
 | Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge Reviews | 1 - 10 of 27 |  |
 Clifton Suspension Bridge by sue_stone
Located in the gorgeous Northwest Bristol area of Clifton, it spans a stretch of the Avon Gorge, 75 metres about the water.
The bridge was built between 1836 - 1864, designed by the famous Brunel.
You can walk across the bridge for a closer look, and drive across for a fee of 30pence each way. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Bristol?
Read reviews about Bristol Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The great British engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was a remarkable man and one of his great achievments was the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It took well over 30 years to build, finished in 1864. The bridge carries a road between Bristol and Somerset, 70 metres above the River Avon!!
I won't churn out lots of facts because there is a Visitor Centre nearby. And information on a large plaque near the bridge. You can walk or bicycle across the bridge for free and admire the engineering at close hand.
Or walk down the twisting 'zig-zag' path to the bottom of the gorge to see a splendid view from the road below.
What was just as nice for me was the surrounding neighbourhood, Clifton Village. It is full with pretty Georgian buildings and its own Crescent (not quite as nice as Bath!). And trendy cafe's/restaurants . Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
 Suspension Bridge. by JuliaK
The picture is not that clear..sorry. It was taken from a beautiful pub next to the bridge, called the White Lion. One of our favorite choices to go when the weather is warm. We sit on the huge terrace that they have and enjoy the views!!! Leave a Comment Directions: Clifton Village
|
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is the top sight for visitors in Bristol. For me it’s like the Golden Gate for San Francisco. High over the Avon River, at 75meters, it spans the Avon Gorge. It’s a beautiful bridge that becomes more beautiful during the night when it’s all lit up. It was designed by the famous engineer Isambard Brunel in 1830 (he also designed the SS Great Britain boat and the train station). The bridge started to built in 1836 but Brunel died in 1859. The bridge finally finished 5 years later in 1864. The height of towers is 26meters above deck while the span is 214 meters.
We had some nice views of the bridge from the Observation Hill while we were watching the sunset. At the same moment we noticed many children playing on the slide (the water on it was turned into ice). Extreme sports!...
|
| | |
A suspension bridge that spans the Avon Gorge resting on high cliffs above the muddy waters is definitely one of the most known landmarks of Bristol and a great example of 19th century engineering. The bridge was designed by Islambard Brunel who won the design competition that was held in 1829, but did not live long enough to see it completed.
The bridge is impressive seen from the side and so are the impressive views that can be seen when you walk across the bridge. To cross the bridge cars have to pay a small fee while pedestrians go for free. There is a Visitor's Centre nearby that houses and exhibition about the bridge's history.
The Bridge is also known as a suicide bridge. Between 1974 and 1993, 127 people fell to their deaths from the bridge. Now fences are really high, there are cameras everywhere and in order to fit into the age of mobile phones old SOS phone lines are replaced by plaques displaying the number of Samaritan's care that is waiting for your call day and night. So, if you have suicidal tendencies you better find some other high point in Bristol ;) Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Bristol?
Read reviews about Bristol Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Not as big as the Grand Canyon, of course, but pretty stupendous all the same! Walk across the suspension bridge or drive along the Portway, or best of all walk through Leigh Woods to see it. In the days of sailing ships, the ships' masters used to fear the 10km or so from Bristol City Docks to the Severn far more than anything they might meet on the high seas. The treacherous rocks and mudbanks, and swirling currents exacerbated by the second-highest tides in the world (say Hi! to our friends in Saint John, New Brunswick, who have the highest) made it a nightmare journey. These days, in summer, you can go on a cruise down the gorge and on to Clevedon, Penarth or Ilfracombe. Leave a Comment Address: Cumberland Basin to Sea MillsDirections: Best views from the bridge, the downs and Leigh Woods
|
The Golden Gate Bridge may be more glamorous, and that one in Japan may be longer, but the Clifton Suspension Bridge is a magnificent piece of Victorian engineering, spanning the breathtaking Avon Gorge high above the waters - or more usually mud - of the River Avon.
It is as much a symbol of the city as the Eiffel Tower is of Paris or the Leaning Tower is of Pisa. Leave a Comment Address: On the road from Clifton towards PortisheadDirections: A short walk from the downs
|
 by rbaynton
Today the Clifton Suspension Bridge is looked after by a Trust set up under an Act of Parliament of 1952. The 13 trustees include representatives of local government together with others chosen for their technical or business expertise. The trustees are empowered to collect tolls, although since 1991 pedestrians and cyclists have crossed free of charge
Four designs were shortlisted with Brunel being placed second. However, he quickly arranged a meeting with the leading judge and soon convinced him that technical objections to his design were unjustified. Within two days Brunel was proclaimed the winner and also appointed engineer for the project. In 1831, £20,000 short of the necessary funds, work began. Only a few weeks later the Bristol Riots broke out, the bloodiest civil disturbances to take place in 19th century England, with the mob in control of the city for two days until dispersed by cavalry. Business confidence collapsed and it was over four years before work on the bridge resumed.
By 1853 the time span allotted by Parliament expired. The committee sold the ironwork, machinery and equipment to pay the contractors and much of the material was used on Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge linking Devon and Cornwall at Plymouth. Brunel died in 1859 at the age of 53 through overwork and 40 cigars a day without ever seeing the completion of his bridge
Brunel's early death inspired the completion of the bridge. The Institution of Civil Engineers decided to finish the bridge as a memorial to him. It was estimated that £45,000 would be needed to complete the project and by December £30,000 had been raised. Happily for today's road traffic these engineers decided to use three chains instead of two and to widen the roadway from 7 metres to 9 metres.
In July 1864 the last cross girder was in place and as a safety test 500 tonnes of stone were spread on the road and footpath. The bridge sagged 18 centimetres in the middle, well within acceptable limits.
On 8 December 1864 the ceremonial opening took place Leave a Comment Directions: Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre Bridge House Sion Place Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AP United KingdomOther Contact: Tel: +44(0) 117-974-4664
|
| | |
 by Aragina
I never get bored of the sight of the bridge, it can be very dramatic and a low tide you can see the bubbline hot wells under it, hence the name of the area Hotwells. The Victorians used to come to the area to samle to hot water, but is sadly now gone as the river was widended for shipping. There was also under the Bridge an Iron age causeway that was blown up in the 1860's to render the passage of ships passable. Leave a Comment Directions: Clifton Suspension Bridge Vistor Centre Sion Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4Ap Tel: 0117 974 4664Other Contact: Tel: 0117 974 4664
|
The bridge was built high above the River Avon not far from the Severn Estuary by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and affords great views over Bristol and the surrounding areas as well as giving a useful crossing of the gorge.
Sadly though the bridge has been used as a popular suicide point. Leave a Comment Address: Clifton, BristolDirections:
|
|
More Bristol Travel Deals Hotels in Bristol
Hotels from 59$ per Room/Night with Info, Map, Photos & Reviews Marriott Int'l Hotels
Marriott.com - The Official Site of Marriott Hotels. Book Online Now. Hotels in Bristol
Get the Best Rates in Bristol Photos & Reviews, Pay at checkout Sponsored Links
- Hunstrete House
Pensford, Bristol - Holiday Inn Bristol Airport
A38 Bridgewater Road Cowslip Green, Bristol - Thornbury Castle
Thornbury, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS35 1HH, United Kingdom, Bristol - Redwood Hotel & Country Club
Beggar Bush Lane, Bristol - Portland Apartments - Portland Square
26 Portland Square, Bristol - Premier Apartments Bristol
30-38 St Thomas Place, St Thomas Street Redcliffe, Bristol - Downs Edge
Saville Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol - Rangeworthy Court Hotel
Church Lane, Wotton Road Rangeworthy, Bristol - Berkeley Square Classic Hotel
15 Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol - Best Western Leigh Park Hotel
Leigh Road West, Bristol - Thornbury Golf Lodge
Bristol Road Thornbury, Bristol - Campanile Swindon
Delta Business Park Great Western Way (formerly Ibis), Bristol - St. Vincent Rocks
Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol - Aztec Hotel
Aztec West Almondsbury, Bristol - Best Western Walnut Tree Hotel
87 Fore Street, Bristol
|
