Clifton Observatory

From windmill to observatory

The tower was built in 1766 as a corn mill and later ground snuff, earning the name the Snuff Mill. After a fire left it derelict, the artist William West rented it in 1828 and fitted a camera obscura on top, later adding telescopes. West also dug a tunnel through the rock to St Vincent's Cave, better known as Giant's Cave, which opened in the 1830s. The building is Grade II* listed.

What you see

In the camera obscura, a lens and mirror project a live, moving image of the surroundings onto a viewing table in a darkened room, so you watch the bridge and Downs in real time. The tunnel leads down to Giant's Cave, which opens onto a platform high above the Avon Gorge and is tied to the legend of the giants Ghyston and Goram. The visit ends at a viewpoint over the bridge and the city.

Planning a visit

Tickets are sold online through the Observatory's website, and the site is cashless. The 360 Glass Café and rooftop terrace work on a walk-in basis, and the terrace may close in winter or for private events. Pair it with a walk across the Suspension Bridge or out over Clifton Down.

Highlights

• Camera obscura, one of few left in England
• Tunnel to Giant's Cave above the Avon Gorge
• Grade II* listed former windmill from 1766
• Café and rooftop terrace facing the Suspension Bridge

Good to know

• The site is cashless; tickets are bought online.
• The café is walk-in only, and the rooftop terrace may close in winter or for events.
• The cave tunnel involves steps; check the access page if mobility is a concern.

Frequently asked questions