The Clifton Suspension Bridge is the most popular and iconic landmark of Bristol and is a marvel of engineering that has stood the test of time since it was built in 1864 by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is the most popular “must-see” place to visit in Bristol and your visit simply isn’t complete until you have been there.
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre
The visitor centre is completely free so enjoy the crossing over the Avon Gorge 75 metres above the high tide mark to the Leigh Woods end of the bridge and you won’t miss the Visitor Centre.
Learn why the design changed so many times, how daredevil bridge builders got the suspension chains from one side to the other, the impressive secret discovered 140 years after the bridge first opened – and what the mysterious Latin inscription ‘Suspensa Vix Via Fit’ really means. There’s also information about the competition to design the bridge, its construction and completion and how it is maintained today.
Cost
The visitor’s centre is free but if you feel you have enjoyed your trip please consider making a voluntary donation or buying something from the shop as it goes towards the maintenance of the bridge
The Bridge is free to cross via foot or bicycle and if you are driving across there is a toll charge of £1, The toll booths are unmanned and as of July 2023 only accept contactless payments only.
Opening Times
The Bridge: Open 24 Hours a day 7 days a week to cross either on foot, bicycle or by car.
The Visitor Centre: 10am to 5pm daily.
Getting There
Car: Set your sat-nav to the postcode: BS8 3PA, or input any of the streets suggested in the parking section.
Bus: Board the number 8 circular service, which departs every 10 minutes from Temple Meads Train Station or the city centre bus stop which is situated across the road from the Bristol Hippodrome. Exit at Clifton Village after approximately 25 minutes. From Clifton Village, the suspension bridge is roughly a 10-minute walk away.
Parking
There is no car park for the suspension bridge but there is plenty of on-street pay and display parking in the surrounding areas which you can pay with coins or via the RingGo app, Personally I usually find a space either on the B3129 or Sion Hill there are also many side streets if you cannot find a space there.
Disabled Parking: There are two spaces directly outside the visitor centre which is on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge.
Living in Bristol I’ve not only visited it hundreds of times over the last 38 years, but I also have the great pleasure of seeing it in the skyline out of my front room window so you could call me a bit of an expert when it comes to visiting our great landmark, I hope this information really helps you to enjoy your visit.
The visitor’s centre is free but if you feel you have enjoyed your trip please consider making a voluntary donation or buying something from the shop as it goes towards the maintenance of the bridge
The Bridge is free to cross via foot or bicycle and if you are driving across there is a toll charge of £1, The toll booths are unmanned and as of July 2023 only accept contactless payments only.
The Bridge: Open 24 Hours a day 7 days a week to cross either on foot, bicycle or by car.
The Visitor Centre: 10am to 5pm daily.
