Clifton Down

This is Clifton Down railway station, a stop on the Severn Beech branch line. The station is a pale shadow of its former self, now being unmanned and used mainly by commuters heading towards Bristol Temple Meads.

In its heyday there were over 20 employees, the platforms were covered by iron and glass canopies and the area to the right which is now occupied by flats, a car park and a shopping centre was a goods yard. The station was noted for its long platforms, which extend beyond the row of shops on the bridge above the tracks, and a grand booking hall in the station building to the left, which is now an Australian-themed pub.

The station was the destination for so-called Monkey Specials, bringing visitors from South Wales to Bristol Zoo, and was also the starting point for regular excursions to the south coast of England. King Edward VII twice boarded the royal train here, on visits to the Royal Edward Dock at Avonmouth.

Considering the hubbub and activity that used to take place here, it now seems very quiet by comparison.

Picture coordinates: 51.464388,-2.6132