Discover Bristol (TUESDAY): Victorian Clifton

It's TUESDAY this week

At 11:00 o'clock

Over the last three years we have put on at over eighty different discovery tours across the whole of Bristol. We really know this city! To get 2026 off to a good start we will be revisiting some of our favourites. There will be lots of new research to enjoy.

On these Discover Bristol sessions Steve shares his extensive research on the history, geography, wildlife and geology of the city. There is also plenty of time to chat about interesting finds that we discover along the way.

Clifton is famous for its eighteenth century elegance, but the rise of this suburban paradise did not come to an end with the dawning of the year 1800. During the Regency Period and right through Victorian times the wealthy elite of Bristol were attracted up the hill for housing and leisure.

It was also safer to live in Clifton: the Bristol Riots of 1831 and the burning of Queen Square almost drove the rich to higher ground.

Classical Georgian facades in the Palladian style gave way to substantial Victorian semi-detached villas and mansions in the Gothic and Italianate styles. Private gardens began to develop, yet the public desire for promenading continued. Clifton has one of the finest tree lined promenades in the country.

Clean air is one of the factors that drew the wealthy up Park Street to Clifton. Victorian innovation delivered clean piped water to every house as well as an efficient sewage system. Clifton was one of the healthiest places to live in Victorian Britain.

People began to desire exotic entertainment and Bristol Zoological Gardens opened in 1836. Residents and visitors alike wanted the special nature of Clifton and the Downs protected and some of the earliest environmental protection laws were applied to safeguard this area during the Victorian period.

Contemporary celebrities and notorieties abound in this area: Victorian wealth and fame attracted the lesser sort as well! Artists were attracted here and we will hear the stories of several.

Our two mile circumnavigation of Victorian Clifton will take in all of this and more. Did I not mention the Victorian Arcade with its Moorish influences built in 1878?

As is our custom a set of written notes will be emailed out to walkers after the walk. This will allow you to hold on to what you have picked up from our exploration of Victorian Clifton.

A Walk in the Past is a friendly group where regulars and newcomers are always welcome. Our aim is to combine a good walk with pleasant company in historic landscapes.