Cabot Tower

Situated in the picturesque Brandon Hill Park between Park Street and Jacobs Wells Road, I can’t believe I’ve lived in the area for 30 years and this is my first visit!
Be warned, the trek to the top is narrow and involves a lot of leg work but boy is it worth it, you MUST go on a sunny day like we did to get a some stunning views of the city, check out the Wiki page to see a great panoramic pic.
Oh and it’s free!
(thumbs up to the Council for the restoration work too)

Brandon Hill has the best views of the city, down over Bedminster towards Dundry. The park is landscaped and steep, so no problems with people kicking footballs. The tower was built to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of John Cabot sailing to Newfoundland, and was built by a Bristol architect who had emigrated to Canada. Since it is a tower, it involves a lot of climbing, it is in 3 stages, with gates on each level and the final stretch is very narrow, so only for the fit and determined. around the parapet are markers to show what you are looking at. Well worth the effort.

Yessss its re opened, what great views in the middle of some superb gardens good to be back in Bris and able to enjoy this real gem in the city.

Cabot tower is surprisingly well hidden from the everyday bustle of life, despite its size. The grade II listed building is 105 feet tall, and was built in 1898 as a tribute to the discovery of the North American continent 400 years beforehand. The tower is one of those places that you set aside time to go and see, spend an hour there just sitting down and reflecting on the views. Unfortunately you can’t get up to the top of the tower anymore, however there is a grant being directed at the redevelopment of this landmark that should get people up there I the next few years. Be sure to go, it is a gem In Bristol’s crown!

Isn’t it funny how you can walk around something so much and never see it until you’re at a distance? I find this with Cabot Tower. It’s right by Park Street, on Brandon Hill, which is a beautiful central Bristol Park, definitely worth a visit.
The tower is rarely open, and was recently closed for repairs. But when you can get up here, the view is very awe inspiring. If you’re in the South of the city, you will be able to see Cabot tower on the skyline, along with the Wills Building and the Cathedral Spire.

A landmark on the Bristol skyline, the Cabot Tower is another thing to put on a tourist’s tour of Bristol. Built in 1897 to commemorate the anniversary of John Cabot’s discovery of the New World, it towers over the picturesque gardens of Brandon Hill. The views at the top are quite phenomenal, stretching over to South Bristol and the hills beyond, and up to the part of North Bristol that’s immediately visible.
I am, however, scared of heights, but once you get to the top it’s not actually so bad. There’s that usual feeling of nausea as you climb the stone spiral staircase, but once you’ve successfully negotiated them the views are well worth it, so unless your phobia is really strong I reckon it’s worth a shot. Apart from the tower, the gardens themselves are beautiful, far stretching and definitely worth spending some time exploring. The tower is closed for maintenance at the moment, so keep a watch for when it’s open again.

Discoverer of the New World (ignore all that Christopher Columbus nonsense) John Cabot was a Portuguese man that sailed from Bristol and discovered Newfoundland (wasn’t the most imaginative of namers, seemingly). Erected in his name, Cabot Tower stands at the top of Brandon Hill, and is a Bristol attraction that get surprisingly few visitors.
From Park Street, go down one of road on the left hand (walking up) side onto Brandon Hill. From there you’ll be able to see it. Climb the hill and then (if you’ve still got the energy) you can start climbing the twisting stairs up the the tower. You’ll probably have a bit of a traffic jam at some point going up and down as the stairway is cramped. For that reason you shouldn’t come here with lots of shopping.
Every time I start counting the stairs I lose count, there’s enough anyway. The view is fantastic, with Bristol panning out before you. They close up in the evenings, which is a shame, because it would be wonderful to see the lights of the city here. Obviously don’t go if you’re scared of heights. A prominent part of Bristol’s sky line, Cabot Tower is worth the climb.

A great landmark in Bristol, and a good spot for lovers of taking panoramic photos. Views right out over the whole of Bristol in every direction.
A steep narrow spiral staircase takes you up to the top, and its quite a climb, but the views are worth it.
Occassionally a dissapointment as the doors are randomly shut from time to time, but worth a visit.
The park around the tower is also nice (although dosen’t seem as well kept as it once was) with play areas for kids.
A nice place to read a book and eat lunch during your lunch hour if you work nearby.

A true Bristol landmark — always a good one to take visitors to Bristol to. The tower offers amazing views all over Bristol and even if you’re not a fan of heights, then the gardens are great to wander around in, loads of different routes along gently curving paths with bridges and waterfalls and ponds. Great for summer days

Cabot Tower is a definite must-​see for anyone visting the area (if you live in Bristol, why haven’t you seen it already, get up there!) It was built in 1897 in memory of John Cabot and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building.
(I had to look this up!) The tower is 32.4m (105 ft) high which doesn’t actually sound a lot, but its views are so impressive that you’d think it was higher when you’re at the top. You ascend the inside of the tower via a steep narrow spiral staircase to the first level and should you wish to go to the top the staircase continues up to the picturesque view across every part of Bristol city centre and outwards.

The Cabot Tower is located on Brandon Hill and is, as the name suggests, a large tower. Great views but inside the tower itself there are stairs which you can climb to the top to further enhance the beautiful views to be seen. there are picnic benches at the base of the tower in the tower gardens which are also worth a look.

The Cabot Tower is a fairytale tower situated on Brandon Hill, not far from Park Street.
Cabot tower was designed by Bristol architect William Venn Gough and was built in 1897 to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of the Bristol Explorer John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to North America.
You can climb a narrow staircase to the top of Cabot tower where you will see a panoramic view accross Bristol. There are signs on the window ledges in the tower pointing out Bristol Landmarks.
Brandon Hill is also a nice area for a walk, there are pretty gardens and lots of tame squirrels!