Bridge Illuminations

The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust is a not-for-profit charity established in 1953 to act as custodian of the bridge, ensuring its maintenance and preservation. It is entirely funded by tolls, which have paid for its upkeep since it first opened to the public on 8th December 1864. There have been permanent illuminations on the Clifton Suspension Bridge since 1967 – lighting the bridge first with individual electric bulbs, and later with energy efficient LEDs. In 2026, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust installed new enhancement lighting to the bridge. This is the first permanent system that can light the bridge in colour.

Informed by ecological surveys to ensure a minimal impact on local wildlife, the state-of-the-art system is energy efficient, adaptable, and low maintenance and has been designed to last at least twenty years.

What will I see when I visit the bridge?

For the majority of the time, the new enhancement lighting will be set to an appropriate warm white light, lit from dusk until midnight. Pedestrian safety lighting will remain on throughout the hours of darkness.

Will you light the bridge in colour for me/my organisation?

There are hundreds of local, national and international celebration and commemoration days each year and a very large number of worthy charitable causes, many of whom may want the bridge illuminated to support their cause. Unfortunately it is not possible to support them all. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust cannot accept requests for specific lighting formats or for sponsorship for the lighting of the bridge. Read our Enhancement Lighting Policy for more information.

Why will the bridge be lit in colour?

A limited number of coloured lighting events will take place each year. The Trust will light the bridge in colour for the following reasons in line with our charitable objectives and statement of purpose:

• Celebrating key events in the history of Clifton Suspension Bridge.
• Celebrating relevant events on the themes of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), museums, archives and heritage.
• Celebrating major events within Bristol and its surrounds.
• Celebrating museums, archives and heritage.

Illuminations may be switched off due to maintenance activities, alignment with activities relating to our sustainability policy (e.g.: Earth Hour), and periods of national mourning. There may be other occasions when it is necessary to turn off the enhancement lighting and these will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Extraordinary events of national significance will be considered at the discretion of the Trustees on an individual basis.

When is the next coloured lighting event?

Friday 20th February – Sunday 22nd February: ‘A Year in the Life of the Avon Gorge and Downs’, Bristol Light Festival

Evolved from a collaboration between Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Business Improvement District (BID) and Bristol Light Festival, and informed by consultations with Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project, the gently luminous display celebrates the Gorge’s extraordinary and rare ecology through a carefully choreographed lighting sequence. The gently animated 10-minute display runs each evening at half hour intervals between Friday 20th and Sunday 22nd February.