Guided Tours & Educational Visits
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FREE GUIDED TOURS are provided for the public on Bank Holidays and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from Easter Saturday to the end of October. This year our tours begin on 23rd March and finish on 27 October. Meet at 3.00pm at the toll booth at the Clifton end of the Bridge where you will spot a guide in an orange jacket. There is no need to book - just turn up and allow one hour for the tour and remember you'll be outside so dress for the weather! (Please note these free tours are intended for individuals and small family groups; they are not suitable for coach tours or for large organised groups for whom separate arrangements apply.) |
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Schools and Groups If you're planning on bringing a large group to the bridge, you can book a 45 minute - 1 hour guided tour for £3 per head (minimum fee £60, including VAT) lead by knowledgeable staff (many of whom are also 'Blue Badge' Registered Tourist Guides) at any time by arrangement. Although you won’t see any parts of the bridge that aren’t open to the public, you will have a chance to learn the story of the bridge. You’ll hear about the competition to design the bridge, a project plagued with problems and how the end result differed from the original design. We’ll tell you about Brunel and his family, explain how a suspension bridge works and how people crossed the gorge before it was built. You’ll hear some amazing stories about the people who used and maintained the bridge and the things we do in winter to keep it working! We are used to welcoming school groups from Year 1 right through to Year 12. We can add great educational value to your visit and there are plenty of opportunities for work in history, science, design and technology, mathematics, geography, ICT and art. If you're studying Brunel for 'famous people', want some good background for a local history project, or are looking for a different angle on the Victorians then we can help - but we are limited only by the imagination and if you have a specific project in mind, please feel free to get in touch and discuss your requirements! Free lesson plans, resources and suggestions can be found on our page at www.engagingplaces.org.uk and there is no charge for adults accompanying school groups with pupils aged 16 years and under. Please allow one hour for your tour from arrival to departure.
Can't get to us? We also provide talks... If you are not able to come to us, we have a small group of volunteers who can give illustrated talks about the competition to design the bridge and its construction by Brunel to your group or society. Prices start from £60 (all inclusive) for Bristol and surrounds, but we may have to add a travel charge if you're further away.
If you're making a quick stop as part of a city tour or a school trip then let us know! We're used to Blue Badge Guides, Coach Tour Operators and Teachers bringing groups to the Bridge as part of a 'big day out'. If you're planning on visiting with your own guide, or making a short stop to allow your group to look around, then please let us know as it will help us to manage crowds and make sure that everyone is able to enjoy the Bridge. Our Visitor Centre is open between 10am and 5pm every day and is free of charge - if you'd like to bring a group inside to see the exhibition please do so, but bear in mind that it can only hold 25 adults at a time! We'd love to add extra value to your day out by answering your group's questions and explaining the history of this amazing landmark!
Getting in touch To find out more about tours or talks or make a booking, contact Laura Hilton on visitinfo@cliftonbridge.org.uk or phone 0117 974 4664.
Make the most of your day out! The Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project also run an education programme on the Downs and in Leigh Woods. Why not combine a visit to the Clifton Suspension Bridge with an investigation of the wildlife and habitats nearby? The Gorge and Downs are a great place to study many aspects of ‘Life processes and living things’ as well as for developing ‘Scientific enquiry’ skills. Leigh Woods provides an incredible resource, with enormous potential for learning. With unusual and rare species of wildlife, archaeological evidence of past human occupation and links to great artists of the 19th century; Leigh Woods has much to offer educational visits. There is a specially developed pack based called the Hidden World trail to download with teachers notes attached. For further information contact Mandy Leivers on mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk
*** "All of the children in my class loved your tour ..." Liam, Weston-super-Mare "On behalf of the staff and children ... I would like to thank you for the excellent way you led the tour. It consolidated what they already knew, gave them a lot more information and the stories took them back into colourful history". Teacher, Somerset. "Thank you so much for a fantastic experience. All the children and adults really enjoyed hearing stories and our guide was superb!" Teacher, Bath & North East Somerset "Just ...to express how much we enjoyed the fabulous tour yesterday - it was great! We had a fantastic time and are looking forward to getting some lovely writing out of your experience." Oxfordshire teacher. "...the natural enthusiasm which (the guide) demonstrated throughout the tour kept the students enthralled". South Gloucestershire teacher. "Thank you for giving my group such an entertaining introduction to the background of the Bridge". University tutor. "Thank you for laying on such an informative and entertaining visit". Conference organiser. "We were impressed with the tour, the Information Centre and the Trust ..." a Bristol Company Social Club "Many thanks for a most interesting and entertaining talk ..." Wine Circle "Thank you for a lively and superbly-illustrated talk..." Retired professional group "A captivating and professional presentation thoroughly enjoyed by all" Engineers Society |
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