Giant's Cave

St Vincent's Cave - Ghyston's Cave

Useful Information

photography — Giant`s Cave, Bristol, Great Britain. Public Domain.

Location:	Clifton, Bristol. Under the Observatory Tower adjacent to Clifton Suspension Bridge. (51.456412, -2.627161)
Open:	APR to OCT daily 10-17. NOV to MAR daily 10-16. [2022]
Fee:	Adults GBP 3, Children (4-14) GBP 1.50, Children (0-3) free. [2022]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=65m
Guided tours:	L=65 m, D=30min
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Clifton Observatory, Litfield Place, Bristol, BS8 3LT, Tel: +44-117-974-1242. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2015	Clifton Observatory restored.

Description

The outer opening to this cave may be seen from the bottom of the Avon Gorge, as a gaping hole some 250 feet up a sheer cliff. It has, of course, been fenced in for the security of visitors. However, the more usual way of entering the cave is through the Observatory where a descending mined passage with steps leads into a natural chamber.

This cave has a very long and interesting history. It was first mentioned as being a chapel in the year A.D. 305 and excavations have revealed that it has been both a holy place and a place of refuge.

Although the cave is in limestone, there are few formations in the natural passages.

Visitors are admitted without a guide, and only the artificial part of the cave is illuminated. This is a charming little cave, and provides excellent views over the Avon Gorge, the river and surrounding countryside. Only the brave however, stand on the grid at the end and gaze down the 250 feet into the gorge below.

Text from: Tony and Anne Oldham (1972): Discovering Caves - A guide to the Show Caves of Britain. With kind permission by Tony Oldham.