Clifton Downs Clifton Downs, Stoke Rd, Bristol BS9 1FG, United Kingdom

Clifton Down is an area of public open space in Bristol, England, north of the village of Clifton. With its neighbour Durdham Down to the northeast, it constitutes the large area known as The Downs, much used for leisure including walking and team sports. Clifton Down is the part of the Downs south of Stoke Road.

Large green spaces on the edge of the city suitable for picnics, exercise, sport and events.

Admission and opening times

There is no charge for admission. The Downs is open at all times. Access may be restricted for special events.

Location

Clifton Down and Durdham Down are north of the city centre. 

Parking

There is no dedicated car park.

Some large events take place on The Downs, for example the International Kite Flying Festival, circuses and Race for Life. Parking is not permitted on the grass.

There are three main areas, Clifton Down which is hilly and includes part of the Avon Gorge near the Suspension Bridge and Durham Down which has two distinct halves, the Stoke Road area near the Water Tower which is an open and sporting area and the Sea Walls part which is scenic with views back towards the city and out to the docks at Avonmouth on the Severn Estuary.

The Downs has a site of Special Scientific Interest on Durdham Down, two scheduled ancient monuments (Clifton Down Camp and the Roman Road) and the whole area is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. There are information and interpretation boards at many key points. All the boards are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.

The venue is open 24hrs.

Parks and Gardens

• The park or garden does have footpaths.
• The path(s) has a / have compact earth, tarmac and concrete surface(s).
• The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.

Facilities and features

• The Downs Cafe
• toilets and baby changing facilities at Sea Walls (on Circular Road)
• benches and picnic areas
• children’s playground on Sion Hill
• BBQ area on Ladies Mile (pdf, 3.8MB) (opens new window) , you can only BBQ on the flagstones set into the signposted area
• six outdoor exercise stations
• football pitches and changing rooms
• Avon Gorge
• Clifton Down Camp, an Iron Age hillfort near the Clifton Observatory
• Clifton Observatory, camera obscura and cave
• Roman Road on Durdham Downs
• parts of The Downs are scheduled ancient monuments

Toilet opening times

Toilets are open daily from 8am to 5pm. 

Closed: 25 and 26 December, and 1 January.