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Clifton Observatory

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United Kingdom

England

South West England

City of Bristol

Clifton Observatory

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Location: City of Bristol, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Clifton Observatory

4.6

(10)

hikers

1. Leigh Woods, the Clifton Suspension Bridge & Observatory loop from Leigh Woods — Bristol

7.79km

02:07

120m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.9

(12)

hikers

2. Bristol city & riverside highlights loop from Temple Meads

14.6km

04:01

230m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.4

(7)

hikers

3. Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge & Ashton Court loop — Bristol

12.5km

03:31

250m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

Tips

Bumble-Bee

November 30, 2019

With a café and a great view over the bridge, the observatory also hosts the entrance to a tunnel leading to the cave below.

Sasha Taylor

December 11, 2019

Clifton Observatory (grid reference ST564733) is a former mill, now used as an observatory, located on Clifton Down, close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, England.

The building was erected, with the permission of the Society of Merchant Venturers, as a windmill for corn in 1766 and later converted to the grinding of snuff, when it became known as 'The Snuff Mill'. This was damaged by fire on 30 October 1777, when the sails were left turning during a gale and caused the equipment to catch alight. It was then derelict for 52 years until in 1828 William West, an artist, rented the old mill, for 5 shillings (25p) a year, as a studio.[1]

In 1977, the Merchant Venturers sold the observatory to Honorbrook Inns; however, they were obliged to maintain public access to the camera obscura whose ownership was retained by the Merchant Venturers.[2]

It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building[3][4] and is on the Buildings at Risk Register.[5] In February 2015 the Observatory was bought by Ian Johnson, a local Bristol-based entrepreneur, who was born in Clifton not far from the Observatory.

🅰️ndy

June 10, 2023

Great view of the bridge.. And a coffee along the way...brilliant.

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Elevation 70 m

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Monday 29 September

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Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: City of Bristol, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Clifton Observatory

1. Leigh Woods, the Clifton Suspension Bridge & Observatory loop from Leigh Woods — Bristol

2. Bristol city & riverside highlights loop from Temple Meads

3. Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge & Ashton Court loop — Bristol

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