Book a Tour at the Bridge

This calendar shows availability for all of our Underground Experiences, as well as the Weekend Bridge Tour.

Please note: the Weekend Bridge Tour DOES NOT include access into the vaults.

Underground Vaults Visit – Relaxed, Interactive, Educational:

Partially guided tour of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s Underground Vaults. You can explore the chambers at your own pace. Minumum age 7+.

You already know the Clifton Suspension Bridge, but you’ve never seen it like this!

Did you know the Leigh Woods tower is built on top of 12 massive vaults? Put on your hard hat, climb down the ladder, and use our illustrated map to explore two of these unique, cavernous chambers.

This exciting trip is your chance to experience the Clifton Suspension Bridge like never before! Delve into the vaults with one of our White Badge Certified Learning Facilitators and see the bridge in a brand new way!

On this must-do adventure, you’ll be one of the lucky few to discover exactly what the bridge looks like from the inside. There will be plenty of time to take photographs and ask questions. Don’t miss the chance to tick our Underground Vaults Visit off your bucket list!

One Hour Hard Hat Tour – Fully Guided, Historical In-Depth:

Fully guided tour of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s Underground Vaults. Minimum age 7+; recommended for adults. Private group tours are available by arrangement.

When construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge began in 1831, the eyes of the world were on 23-year-old Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his bold plan to build the highest and longest bridge in the world. Many of the bridge’s secrets, like the vaulted chambers sealed inside the abutment, were lost when Brunel died.

Join our knowledgeable volunteer guides on a one-hour historical tour through two of Brunel’s twelve vaulted chambers. The tour will begin on the abutment above, then once you’ve descended the ladder your guide will share some of the most interesting features and explain why it took until 2002 for the Clifton Suspension Bridge vaults to be rediscovered.

This tour is also available in BSL (British Sign Language). It is suitable for BSL users and lip readers.

Two Hour Hard Hat Tour – Fully Guided, Comprehensive, Over and Underground:

Fully guided tour includes both the Clifton Suspension Bridge Tour and Underground Vaults Experience. Minimum age 7+; recommended for adults. Private group tours are available by arrangement.

When construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge began in 1831, the eyes of the world were on Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his bold plan to build the highest and longest bridge in the world.

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides on this tour which includes both the Clifton Suspension Bridge Tour and Underground Vaults Experience. This is a comprehensive journey through the history, construction and maintenance of the bridge!

Beginning at the Clifton Toll Booth on the Bristol side of the bridge, crossing over the bridge to the Museum. You’ll then don a hard hat, descend the ladder, and learn all about the people who built and rediscovered the vaults. It’s set to be a real adventure!

Underground Lantern Tour – Fully Guided, Atmospheric, Immersive:

Fully guided tour of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s Underground Vaults, using Victorian-style lanterns to explore the space.

Experience the Clifton Suspension Bridge vaults like never before with our immersive Lantern Tour! Guided by the flickering light of your lantern, you’ll reveal the secrets of this architectural marvel. Our knowledgeable guides will transport you to the era of the bridge’s construction, where you can imagine yourself in the boots of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the labourers who made this engineering feat a reality.

Whether an engineering enthusiast or simply curious about the stories hidden within these historic vaults, our Lantern Tour promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

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Weekend Bridge Tour:

Guided tour of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. No minimum age limit; dogs welcome, above ground only. Private group tours are available by arrangement.

Join our knowledgeable volunteer tour guides as they talk you through the history, construction and maintenance of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge! Our weekend tours last between 45 minutes and one hour and run on weekends and bank holidays throughout the year. Recommended donation: £5 per person.

Underground Tour Restrictions:

Please ensure that all ticket-holders are aware of the following restrictions. For safety reasons, we may not be able to allow you access to the Vaults if you have not complied with the following:

• All attendees must be 7+ and 12+ respectively. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
• Minimum height limit of 1.2m.
• Shoes with good grip, such as hiking boots or trainers, are required. You will not be allowed to join the tour in heels or open-toed shoes.
• This tour includes climbing a vertical ladder and passing through a low corridor. Please ensure that you are physically capable of doing so.
• All cameras, phones, and devices must be able to fit in your pocket or bag so that you have two hands free to climb the ladder.
• Only small bags worn over both shoulders or bags with cross-body straps are permitted. Everything else can be stored in the Museum during your tour.
• Please wear weather-appropriate clothing as tours will go ahead even in poor weather and ensure that cameras or mobile phones are protected from the calcite saturated water which may fall from the ceiling.
• Although we will do our best to accomodate late arrivals, this may not always be possible due to the nature of the tour.

Tickets for our underground tours are available from Easter to October and are released throughout the summer season. Private tours can be booked for groups of up to a maximum of 15 people, although there is no minimum. Should you wish to bring a larger group, it is possible to run two tours on the same date with start times one hour apart.

Our volunteer Hard Hat Tour Guides are winners of the 2023  Heritage Collaboration Award, a national celebration of the UK’s best heritage volunteers.

Underground Vaults Visits are sponsored by full fibre provider, ITS Technology Group’s ‘Faster Britain’ programme.