Clifton Observatory

We are a fully-functioning events venue with accommodations for a variety of events including conferences, meetings, awards shows, dinners, weddings, parties, and other private functions. The observatory has a restaurant, bar, and café, indoor function space and a rooftop terrace, making it the perfect venue for private and corporate events. Built in 1766, the Clifton Observatory was originally a windmill. However, after it was damaged by two fires in a single decade, the windmill remained derelict until 1828, when William West turned the building into an observatory. Since then, the observatory has become an important piece of local heritage and an iconic part of the Bristol landscape. Located on Clifton Down above the Avon Gorge, the observatory offers breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding area including the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The observatory allows access to the Giant's Cave overlooking the Avon Gorge and is home to one of the only Camera Obscuras in England.