Walk Through the History of Clifton Observatory
Join us in discovering the rich history that surrounds Clifton Observatory. Learn more about how a windmill at the top of Clifton hill became one of the most iconic buildings in Bristol. Each floor is rich with history and explores the life of William West, the evolution of photography and much more.
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1766
James Walters awarded £200 by the society of Merchants to build a windmill on Clifton Down
1768
A Violent Storm causes the windmill to catch fire
1828
Society of Merchant Ventures grant a 7-year lease on the ruined windmill a 5 shillings per annum to William West who converts the tower into an Observatory
1829
First Competition announced for Clifton Observatory Suspension Bridge – Brunel’s Giant’s hole design is one of his four record-breaking schemes
1835
Whilst excavating the foundations west discovers natural caves. He excavates a 91m tunnel connecting his Observatory to the ‘Giant’s Cave’
1837
Giants Cave opened to the public
1860
William West Dies, aged 60
1877
Observatory badly damaged in a hurricane
1897
A proposal to demolish the Observatory and replace it with a column, tower to commemorate the 500th anniversary of John Cabot’s discovery of Newfoundland was opposed and a tower was instead built on Brandon Hill
1940
The Observatory requisitioned by Home Guard as a communications and patrol base.
1943
William Wests daughter, Edith West the last member of the family was evicted for non-payment of rent and abusing visitors
1977
The Observatory listed grade II* and sold by the society of merchant ventures with a restrictive covenant requiring the owners to maintain public access to the Camera Obscura and Giants Cave
2003
Concorde flies over the Observatory in the final minutes of its last flight
2015
Observatory sold into private ownership to Bristol-born resident
2017
Museum established at the Observatory