St Vincent’s Cave

You access the St Vincent’s Caves through a tunnel near the observatory. You do have to pay a few pounds for the privilege but on arrival at the exit you realise that the views are definately worth it — spanning out over the Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Beneath the Clifton Observatory, near the Suspension Bridge, a tunnel snakes down through the limestone to St Vincent’s Cave, in the side of the Avon Gorge. From here, there are stunning views towards Leigh Woods and the Bridge, and 240 feet down to the River Avon and the road that runs alongside it. A platform with a chest-​high modern railing allows you to walk out above thin air and see the floor of the Gorge through a grid beneath your feet.
The gnarled cave opening was used as a chapel by the Romans in the 4^th Century, and since that time has served both as a shrine and a place of refuge. Limited information is available in the Observatory.
Entrance is 1 pound, and it is open every weekend during the day. Some tight turns and steep steps mean that the climb is not suitable for everyone.

St Vincent’s Cave /​Giant’s Cave nr Clifton Observatory
Not something for those who are claustrophobic or fear heights — but that is of course also its charm — this is a great exploration to add on to your Clifton Down walk one day. William West (artist 1800s) built a tunnel (2000 feet long) from the Observatory to St Vincent’s cave (historians claim it was both a chapel dating back to around 350 AD and place of refuge).
Steeped in history, you will find your decent a sharp one as you hunch over to get through the rugged limestone passageway. The reward comes as the path opens to a ‘balcony’ carved out of the cliff with views of the Avon Gorge 250 feet below (and if you twist your neck the cliff top 90 feet above). It feels rustic, pure and of a bygone era and then you are transported back to reality as you climb back to the surface.