The Clifton Observatory
Clifton Down
Bristol
United Kingdom

The Bristol Camera Obscura is housed in an observatory on Clifton Down overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The building was originally a windmill known as 'The Snuff Mill'. On October 30th 1777 a strong gale destroyed the machinery of the mill by turning the sails too fast and causing a fire.

It was opened by the artist William West, in 1829, as an observatory equipped with telescopes and the camera obscura. In 1837 a tunnel was excavated down to the 'Giant's Cavern' below.

Experiments in photography were made here in 1837 and 'photogenic paper' was sold at the observatory. The process used was also demonstrated and explained to the visitor.

The camera obscura's viewing table is fixed and the visitor turns the mirror round by hand to change the direction of view. The lens is 5" in diameter, the screen diameter is 5 feet. Views over the Clifton Suspension bridge and surrounding area are seen with the camera obscura. An undated photograph in the Bristol Journal of Photography, 6th February 1953, shows that the entrance charge was six pence.