Ready to get up close and personal with one of Bristol's most iconic landmarks and uncover its fascinating history? This one-hour historical hard hat tour will introduce you to the design, construction and rediscovery of Brunel's Leigh Woods abutment and the secrets of its vaulted chambers.
When construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge began in 1831, the eyes of the world were on Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his bold plan to build the highest and longest bridge in the world.
The ambitious young engineer encountered many difficulties with the project and many of the bridge’s secrets were lost when he died before the project was complete. In 2002 an intrepid team of engineers and construction workers rediscovered Brunel’s hidden vaults. This is your chance to take a look inside!
Join one of the bridge's Volunteer Guides on a one-hour historical tour through two of the 12 vaulted chambers. The tour will begin on the abutment above, but once you’ve climbed inside, your guide will share some of the most interesting features and explain why it took until 2002 for the Clifton Suspension Bridge vaults to be rediscovered.
Don a hard hat, descend into the vaults and take a look for yourself.
Important information:
Age restrictions: 7+
Adult (General Admission) | £15 |
Child (General Admission) | £15 |
Gordon and Diane were a great pair of hosts, who are clearly both very passionate and knowledgeab...
Unique experience and very informative
Guides were knowledgeable and answered all questions asked.
Fascinating. Our guide Gordon was enthusiastic knowledgeable and fun.
Gordon and Diane were a great pair of hosts, who are clearly both very passionate and knowledgeable about the history of the bridge. They kept the tour engaging, light and interesting throughout.
It was a great visit to the vaults hosted by 2 wonderful volunteers. The guide, Gordon, made the visit interesting, informative and fun.
Unique experience and very informative
Fascinating. Our guide Gordon was enthusiastic knowledgeable and fun.
Guides were knowledgeable and answered all questions asked.
Really enjoyable experience
Thoroughly enjoyed our tour. I had no idea how this was discovered so recently . The engineering of the bridge is fascinating and brilliant.
An excellent tour with two very knowledgeable guides.
Thank you to the leaders, very informative and enjoyable experience.
As a Bristolian fascinated by history, I found this tour to be informative and impressive. Gordon, our tour guide, was not only extremely knowledgeable but also very very humorous. Fantastic!
Great experience and opportunity. The guides were brilliant :)
Really great and Laura a good and informative host
Tour guide Gordon was brilliant. He made the tour. Great you actually get to go inside the vaults. Highly recommend
A very enjoyable experience with knowledgeable and friendly guides
Gordon was a great host and the experience was really interesting and different
Very good and enjoyed very much. Excellent host and would recommend taking any opportunity to visit the Bristol Suspension Bridge and any tour available.
I enjoyed looking round the visitor centre before the tour began. The guides were very friendly and informative, certainly knew the history and some interesting fact of the bridge. The experience of visiting the vaults was inspiring. Really enjoy the whole experience.
I’d do it again at the drop of the hat!
Tour was interesting, guide was knowledgeable and entertaining.
Excellent
Very enjoyable, all the volunteers fantastic.
Great experience. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.
Excellent and informative. Was brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Really enjoyable unique visit
Fascinating! Recommended, especially for locals.
The suspension bridge vaults are incredible. Really recommend booking a tour.
Very interesting and unusual experience - who knew the vaults were there!
We loved this, we've lived in Bristol for years and this was such an insight. Loved the guide and his stories. He takes a mean photo too. We would highly recommend for locals and visitors.
Ask your question directly to Clifton Suspension Bridge.