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Discover the hidden underground secrets of Clifton Suspension Bridge
The remarkable discovery of secret vaults hidden below the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of the most surprising Bristol stories of recent years.
Two decades after that discovery, there will be a new opportunity to explore the underground spaces designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Brunel’s vaults on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge were undisturbed and forgotten about for 162 years until a tunnel entrances filled with rubble left by the original workforce was discovered in 2002.
is needed now More than ever
A new programme of family-friendly vaults visits are starting in April, with visitors able to access a new platform installed in the largest of the 12 stone chambers which is 11 metres high and festooned in stalactites.
The vaults act as impressive echo chambers – photo: photo Lee Pullen / Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust chair, Chris Booy, said: “As a charity we are grateful for the generous sponsorship of ITS and its Faster Britain network, who have allowed us to develop an educational new visitor opportunity as we continue our recovery following the 2020-21 lockdowns.
The new Vaults Visits offer families with children aged seven and over an opportunity to access more of the space than ever before and connect with the engineering history of the bridge.”
Tickets for April and May are available from 7am on Thursday from www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/whats-happening with new slots being made available until the end of the season on October 31.
Main photo: Lee Pullen / Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
Read more: This is what the Clifton Suspension Bridge could have looked like
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