Clifton Observatory: Difference between revisions
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At 337 feet (92 metres) above the gorge, the cliff top is likely to have been used as a lookout post since at least the [[Iron Age]], and was the site of a Roman fort. |
At 337 feet (92 metres) above the gorge, the cliff top is likely to have been used as a lookout post since at least the [[Iron Age]], and was the site of a Roman fort. |
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The building was erected with the permission of the [[Society of Merchant Venturers]], as a [[windmill]] for corn in 1766 and later converted to the grinding of snuff, when it became known as the 'The Snuff Mill'. This was damaged by a fire on October 30th 1777, when the sails were left turning during a gale and caused the equipment to catch light. It was then derelict for 52 years until in 1828 [[William West (artist)|William West]], an artist, rented the old mill as a studio.<ref name="link">{{cite web | title=The Observatory | work=Bristol link | url=http://www.bristol-link.co.uk/history/observatory.htm | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
The building was erected with the permission of the [[Society of Merchant Venturers]], as a [[windmill]] for corn in 1766 and later converted to the grinding of snuff, when it became known as the 'The Snuff Mill'. This was damaged by a fire on October 30th 1777, when the sails were left turning during a gale and caused the equipment to catch light. It was then derelict for 52 years until in 1828 [[William West (artist)|William West]], an artist, rented the old mill, for 5 shillings (25p) a year, as a studio.<ref name="link">{{cite web | title=The Observatory | work=Bristol link | url=http://www.bristol-link.co.uk/history/observatory.htm | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
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In 1977 the Merchant Venturers sold the observatory to [[Honorbrook Inns]], however they were obliged to maintain public access to the camera obscura whose ownership was retained by the Merchant Venturers.<ref>{{cite web | title=Downs Management Plan 2006 | work=Bristol City Council | url=http://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2006/wa/wa017/0904_3.pdf | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
In 1977 the Merchant Venturers sold the observatory to [[Honorbrook Inns]], however they were obliged to maintain public access to the camera obscura whose ownership was retained by the Merchant Venturers.<ref>{{cite web | title=Downs Management Plan 2006 | work=Bristol City Council | url=http://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2006/wa/wa017/0904_3.pdf | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
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== Cave == |
== Cave == |
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West also built a tunnel from the Observatory to St Vincent's Cave (also known as Ghyston's Cave or Giant's Cave), which opens onto St Vincent's Rocks on the cliff face 250 feet (76m) above the floor of the gorge and 90 feet (27.5m) below the cliff top.<ref>{{cite web | title=Clifton Observatory | work=About Bristol | url=http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/lnd-01.asp | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> The tunnel which is 2000 feet (610m) long took two years to build at a cost of £1300, opened to the public in 1837.<ref>{{cite web | title=Famous people of Clifton | work=Clifton Online | url=http://www.cliftononline.net/f_people_preview3.asp | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
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This cave was first mentioned as being a chapel in the year A.D. 305 and excavations, in which [[Romano-British]] [[pottery]] has been found, have revealed that it has been both a holy place and a place of refuge at various times in it's history. Although the cave is in [[limestone]], there are few formations in the natural passages.<ref>{{cite web | title=Giant's Cave | work=Show caves of Britain | url=http://www.showcaves.com/english/gb/showcaves/Giants.html | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
This cave was first mentioned as being a chapel in the year A.D. 305 and excavations, in which [[Romano-British]] [[pottery]] has been found, have revealed that it has been both a holy place and a place of refuge at various times in it's history. Although the cave is in [[limestone]], there are few formations in the natural passages.<ref>{{cite web | title=Giant's Cave | work=Show caves of Britain | url=http://www.showcaves.com/english/gb/showcaves/Giants.html | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> |
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* [[The Downs (Bristol)]] |
* [[The Downs (Bristol)]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1766 architecture]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bristol]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bristol]] |
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[[Category:Caves of England]] |
[[Category:Caves of England]] |
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Revision as of 13:53, 3 May 2007
| The Observatory | |
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.jpg) | |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Completed | 1766 |
The Observatory (grid reference ST563741) is on Clifton Down, close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, England.
At 337 feet (92 metres) above the gorge, the cliff top is likely to have been used as a lookout post since at least the Iron Age, and was the site of a Roman fort.
The building was erected with the permission of the Society of Merchant Venturers, as a windmill for corn in 1766 and later converted to the grinding of snuff, when it became known as the 'The Snuff Mill'. This was damaged by a fire on October 30th 1777, when the sails were left turning during a gale and caused the equipment to catch light. It was then derelict for 52 years until in 1828 William West, an artist, rented the old mill, for 5 shillings (25p) a year, as a studio.[1]
In 1977 the Merchant Venturers sold the observatory to Honorbrook Inns, however they were obliged to maintain public access to the camera obscura whose ownership was retained by the Merchant Venturers.[2]
It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[3]
Camera obscura
West installed telescopes and a camera obscura, to help students from the Bristol School of Artists, who frequently used it to draw the Avon Gorge and Leigh Woods on the opposite side.[1]
A 5" (13cm) convex lens and sloping mirror was installed on the top of the tower which project the panoramic view vertically downwards in to the darkened room below. Visitors view the true image (not mirror image) on to a fixed circular table 5 feet (1.5m) in diameter and turn the mirror round by hand to change the direction of view.[4]
It is the the only camera obscura open to the public in England.[5]
Cave
West also built a tunnel from the Observatory to St Vincent's Cave (also known as Ghyston's Cave or Giant's Cave), which opens onto St Vincent's Rocks on the cliff face 250 feet (76m) above the floor of the gorge and 90 feet (27.5m) below the cliff top.[6] The tunnel which is 2000 feet (610m) long took two years to build at a cost of £1300, opened to the public in 1837.[7]
This cave was first mentioned as being a chapel in the year A.D. 305 and excavations, in which Romano-British pottery has been found, have revealed that it has been both a holy place and a place of refuge at various times in it's history. Although the cave is in limestone, there are few formations in the natural passages.[8]
References
- ^ a b "The Observatory". Bristol link. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "Downs Management Plan 2006" (PDF). Bristol City Council. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "Clifton Observatory". Images of England. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "The Bristol Camera Oscura". Brighton and Hove Museums. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "Clifton Observatory". Cities of Science. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "Clifton Observatory". About Bristol. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "Famous people of Clifton". Clifton Online. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
- ^ "Giant's Cave". Show caves of Britain. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
