Jo’s Monday walk : Clifton Suspension Bridge and Observatory

Clifton Suspension bridge

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol

You may remember in The Time of my life I wished I could be in two places at once?  I was watching the hot air balloons launch at Ashton Court in Bristol, but wishing I could be up at Clifton Suspension Bridge to see them float overhead too.  The bridge has a spectacular location at the head of the Avon Gorge and I thought I might take you there this week.

I left home on an early morning flight, bound for The Washington Hotel in Clifton.  The receptionist there very kindly pointed me in the direction of the bridge and I did what I do best- follow my nose!  I was extremely pleased to turn a corner and see before me the Avon Gorge Hotel.  It has a highly recommended sun terrace with views out over the bridge.

And towards Bristol!

And towards Bristol, in the other direction

A good place to start our walk, I think.  I had rather a surprise when I turned to look at the suspension bridge.  A sheep was keeping his watchful eye on me!

Fancy a chuckle?
Shaun in the City!
With all his colourful details

That’s put a smile on your face, hasn’t it?  And a good thing too because I should warn you, there’ll be a bit of ‘uphill’ involved in our walk today.

‘Wish Ewe were here’ is one of 70 Shauns liberally scattered around Bristol’s many attractions this Summer.  You can follow the Shaun in the City trail around Bristol until 31st August, after which the flock will be herded in the direction of Covent Garden in London. Aside from delighting adults and children alike, the sheep are raising money for charity.  I did spot quite a few, which I’ll share with you in another post, but today you might like to take a look at Viveka‘s.

A look out at the bridge and we're on our way

A look at the bridge, and we’re on our way

Turning left out of the hotel, you can see the bridge ahead.  I was a little disappointed that one pillar was swathed in white, but repairs were necessary.  Clifton Suspension Bridge was opened in 1864 and is a Grade 1 listed toll bridge, though foot passengers can cross for free.

Initially we are going to climb the hill to Clifton Observatory.  I promise you, the views are worth it!  Site of a former mill, 337 feet above the Avon Gorge, the cliff top was used as a look out post as far back as the Iron Age.  Today the building functions as a camera obscura.  William West, an artist, rented the mill as a studio and installed telescopes and the camera obscura to facilitate drawing the gorge and Leigh Woods on the opposite bank of the river.

Looking down from the Observatory to the bridge

Looking down from the Observatory to the bridge

Inside the Observatory
Through the camera obscura
Bird bonanza!
A plant lovers paradise

A plant lover’s paradise

I think you will agree that the view is magnificent

I think you will agree that the view is magnificent

Samuel Jackson's watercolour from 1825

Samuel Jackson’s watercolour from 1825

Looking down into the gorge

Looking down into the gorge

Having gazed our fill, it’s time to head back down and cross the bridge itself for still more magnificent views.  I hope you have a head for heights?  Suspended 75 metres above the Avon Gorge, it is an awesome feat of engineering.

Looking back at the Observatory
Crossing the bridge
Suspended
Looking up!

Looking up!

The Observatory seen from the bridge

The Observatory seen from the bridge

The River Avon below twists and turns into the distance

The River Avon below twists and turns into the distance

One of the things I’d hoped to do was to take a boat trip through the Avon Gorge, to see it properly from the river.  The gorge is home to many rare plants, in particular the whitebeam trees, some of which grow nowhere else in the world.  Amongst these are Bristol whitebeams, Wilmott’s, Houston’s and Leigh Woods varieties.  Rock cress and Bristol onion can be found clinging to the cliffs and in late Summer the delicate lilac flowers of Autumn Squill.

An evening visit would find the bridge beautifully illuminated, and in the dusk, Jackdaw and horseshoe bats swooping from their homes in the caves.  The Visitor Centre on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge will provide you with a full and fascinating history, and on Summer Saturdays and Sundays you can take a free tour of the bridge itself.

The supporting tower on the Leigh Woods side of the gorge

The supporting tower on the Leigh Woods side of the gorge

Looking back through the tower

Looking back through the tower

Although similar in size, the supporting towers of the bridge are not identical.  I was unable to verify this as the tower on the Clifton side was under wraps.  The visible tower stands 85 feet tall. Roller-mounted ‘saddles’ at the top of each tower allow slight movement to the chains when loads pass over the bridge.  I was amazed at how ‘solid’ the bridge felt beneath my feet, despite the fragility of its appearance.

The bridge is credited to a design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, but has a colourful history.  I was interested to find that its predecessor was a stone bridge, built in the 13th century, on which were built houses 5 stories high.  Wikipedia is very informative on the subject if you would like to know more.  Our little walk can be completed with a return over the bridge, and maybe lunch at the Avon Gorge Hotel with those wonderful views.  Or you might like a wander through charming Clifton Village for a wider choice.  I’m going to head down beneath the bridge for a different view, but you don’t have to follow.

The bridge in silhouette

The bridge in silhouette

Looking back up

Looking back up

I forgot to mention St Vincent’s Cave, visible here on the cliff face and accessed from the Observatory
While below all appears peaceful in the valley

I hope you enjoyed my Monday wander as much as I did.  Perhaps you can see now why I would have liked to see those hot air balloons above the bridge. Maybe another time?  For now let’s get that kettle on, relax, and put our feet up.

walking logo

Grateful thanks, as always, to my many contributors this week.  I love walking with you all and sharing your company.  For anyone wishing to join in, my Jo’s Monday walks page will give you the details if you just click on the logo.

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The first two lovely ladies had to wait patiently while I was away last weekend, so please do visit :

In our topsy-turvy world- fabulous snow shots from Ruth in Tasmania- brrrrh!

A walk in the snow

And a gentle piece of reminiscence with Jill.  Stories beautifully told- don’t miss this!

The Old Custom House : a photographer’s delight

If you’d like to be transported to an Impressionist world, Drake will take you there :

Heaven on earth, a paradise

Debbie always stops to admire interesting architecture.  Take a look!

On Emerald Hill

Just what I could do with right now- a stroll in beautiful botanic gardens.  Many thanks, Anabel!

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Can I count this as my entry this week, Jude?  Only joking!  Thanks a lot, Amy!

Monday Walk : Banff Springs and Bench Series

Geoff is prone to a bit of a ramble :

In search of an identity- one walk, one dream

Planting acorns seems like a nice idea.  Find out how with Denzil :

Erezee: A breath of fresh Ardennes air

Drake tugs at my heart strings with a second walk this week :

Wondering walk in Paris

While Meg showers me with the most delicious orchids!  And that’s not all!

Gilgandra Flora Reserve

Still in Australia, Rosemay shows us just why Perth is the perfect home for her :

Our Adopted Home- Perth and South Western Australia

I’ve had some beautiful shares in the 18 months of Jo’s Monday walks but none lovelier than this. Thanks, Jude!

I promised you a rose garden

I hate for it to end in tears, but I’m afraid it rather does for Pauline and Jack!  Get well soon, sir!

Ups and downs in Brisbane

That’s it for another week!  Next week I think I’ll take you harbourside.  Don’t forget, those folks at Monday Escapes have lots to entertain you too.  But the main thing is to have a happy week ahead.  See you next time.

168 comments

  1. Yay! More Shauns 🙂

    I have a terrible fear of heights. So much so that when it rears its ugly head, I feel it in the curve of my feet. Both your view of the Bridge from the observatory and (most definitely) the image entitled ‘Suspended’ totally brought out that feeling. Luckily I am resting comfortably in the hull of my boat at sea level.

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    1. Oh, Lisa, I am sorry! 😦 The things we have to do as bloggers! I blithely apologise to those with no head for heights but I don’t fully appreciate it. I’m not fearless by any means, and feel quite nervy on a cliff edge, but on a bridge or tower it just doesn’t occur to me. Sending hugs! 🙂

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  4. I just love these photos. It was perfect lighting. That first photo is simply spectacular, the silver against the grey cloud!!! I did not realize there was a place like this in England!! Most of what I’ve seen, and driven over, is fairly flat…no deep creases like this! Beautiful. Air balloons from here…right!

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    1. Thank you! 🙂 Strange isn’t it? England can be staggeringly beautiful! I’ve lived here all my life (rather a long time 🙂 ) and it can still surprise me.. The balloons were pretty spectacular close to so maybe some day I’ll be back. 🙂

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  7. Pingback: Exploring Lima’s Historic Centre On Foot | Jaspa's Journal

    1. Quite incredible, the concept and engineering, Draco! This one is a bridge I’ve wanted to see for a long time and it made me very happy. 🙂 Thanks for taking time to visit!

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    1. Hi Paula 🙂 I was so happy up there!
      How are you this week? I almost made a distinct error in confusing ‘flare’ with ‘flair’. 🙂 The second of these fits a post I had in mind rather well. I may have to take Debbie looking up and down instead 🙂 I’m trying to get through my Bristol posts before I go to the Algarve next Thursday. I might just make it….

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      1. I would forgive you for going with flair too 🙂 I injured my knee last week – I don’t know how it happened – but I can hardly walk or do anything; I’m seeing a specialist tomorrow, other than that I am still grieving for a brutal killing of the Croatian citizen by ISIS in Egypt, death of an extraordinary Croatian musician and poet who died before yesterday. On top of all that one of my dearest friends and coworkers that used to be one of the managers in this effing company got sacked for no reason. As you can see there is nothing pretty on this side, but I hope my photo for tomorrow will be.

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  11. Pingback: A Walk on Mount Wellington | RuthsArc

  12. What fantastic photos – I used to live in Bristol but I’m sure I spent more time driving over the bridge in a hurry than admiring it unfortunately. Thanks for linking up to #mondayescapes

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  13. What a magnificent bridge I so admire those men with vision and ability to create them. A lovely walk Jo and yes it would’ve been a lovely place to see the balloons floating by. You are inspiring quite a crowd of walkers around the world

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    1. I agree with you, Pauline. I would have no idea where to start with one of these engineering wonders, but I’m so glad I get to admire a few. 🙂 Thank you, darlin’. You and Jack are very kind to me.

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  14. I really need to get back up to Bristol! So glad you got to visit Clifton Bridge (even without the balloons) but what a wonderful write-up and of course all your fantastic photographs, especially of all the different angles. Love the Shauns 🙂 You do get the best out of your trips, and I so enjoy reading about them. Have a lovely day lovely Jo 🙂

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      2. Cleaning! 🙂 Thinking of ways to persuade him to sell his house and move into a community flatlet a bit nearer to me (and then he wouldn’t have to drive me home so dangerously every Tuesday! 😦 )

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      3. Sounds sensible. I’m trying to pursuade my dad to let me talk to his social worker so that I can liaise with her about getting a care package in place for him when he has to move out of his half way house, but he hasn’t given her my name and number. Yet, so let’s see… 😉

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  15. Like walking with you Jo and bridges interest me, nice post.
    My escapade was not as bad as Pauline made it look on her post.
    It was one small step into space for mankind but one giant step for me. 🙂

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  16. Fabulous shots Jo – I love that one of the bridge from the observatory. I have a bit of a soft spot for Wallace and Grommit so looking forward to catching up with them in London soon 🙂

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    1. Lucy is in Bristol at the minute 🙂 She saw this yesterday just before she went. I can just picture her pottering around Clifton Village. 🙂
      I met Viveka at the Balloon fest, you know? What a lovely lady! And thanks, Suze. Happy what’s left of Summer from a drizzly north east. Tavira soon! 🙂

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  17. That was a treat! Thanks Jo. You gave us all possible views from all angles available. Beautiful sight.
    And yes, I do understand now why you wanted to be here with the balloons! Next year!
    Have a gorgeous week.

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    1. Thanks a lot, Lucile 🙂 It’s a drizzly morning here so I’m hoping i can do some catch up. (or housework- which one do you think will win? 🙂 You’re right, of course but I have to go cleaning at Dad’s later so I’m indulging 🙂 ) Yesterday was balmy and we were sea glass hunting on the beach. A little of everything 🙂 Same to you!

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    1. No, I wouldn’t want to drive across, Ruth. Where’s the fun in that- you’d hardly see the view? But I can tell you that it’s a l-o-n-g walk if you cross elsewhere. 🙂 Many thanks for your visit.

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  20. I’m attracted by bridges , in general , and this is one of the best I’ve ever seen….
    Thanks for sharing these photos ,for your notes , and again for showing this genial engineer feat!

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