Clifton Down

Common land with a long history

Together with neighbouring Durdham Down, Clifton Down forms the Downs, a plateau roughly 3 km long. Clifton Down is owned by the Society of Merchant Venturers, while Durdham Down belongs to the city. The Clifton and Durdham Downs Act of 1861 protected the land from building for the free use of Bristol's people, and a joint Downs Committee has managed it ever since. Medieval tenants grazed animals here, and the grass is still kept open rather than planted up.

What to look out for

The western edge drops into the Avon Gorge, and the cliff-top paths give the classic views across to Leigh Woods and down to the river. Clifton Down Camp, an Iron Age hill fort, is a scheduled ancient monument, and the Observatory stands on the same high ground. Ladies Mile cuts through the middle of the Downs, and the wider plateau is used for football, kite flying and big outdoor events.

How to use it

This is the place for a picnic, a dog walk or a run with a view, and it pairs naturally with a visit to the Suspension Bridge and the Observatory's camera obscura. Come late in the day for the light over the gorge. Walk north across Ladies Mile and you reach the 1950s water tower and Durdham Down, which feel quieter and more open.

Highlights

• Free, open access common land
• Cliff-top views over the Avon Gorge
• Clifton Down Camp, an Iron Age hill fort
• Short walk to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Observatory

Good to know

• The gorge edge is a sheer cliff: keep children and dogs well back from the drop.
• There are no entry charges or gates; the Downs are protected common land.

Frequently asked questions