Clifton College

Clifton College stands on a hillside in Bristol, overlooking the Avon Gorge. Founded in 1862, it is one of England’s original public schools and still educates pupils aged 13 to 18. The college also runs a preparatory school for younger children and a pre-preparatory school. Its buildings, designed by Charles Hansom, include Grade II and Grade II* listed structures like Big School and the chapel. The chapel, built in 1867, was a gift from the widow of Canon Guthrie and remains a central feature of the campus. The college has played notable roles in science and history. It was the first traditional boys’ public school to become fully coeducational in 1987. Four Nobel laureates, including Sir John Kendrew and Geoffrey Hinton, studied here. During the Second World War, the school served as the headquarters of the US Army’s V Corps and First Army under General Omar Bradley. The playing fields at Beggars Bush were even used as a light-aircraft landing strip for military communications. Visitors find a mix of historic and modern buildings set among well-kept grounds. The Percival Library and open-cloister classrooms date from the 1870s, while newer houses like Hallward’s reflect the college’s evolution. The chapel’s narrow aisle and stepped windows in the East Wing show Hansom’s original designs. The college’s seven boarding houses, each with its own colours and traditions, create a close-knit community. Views from the hillside stretch across Bristol to the Avon Gorge, linking past and present.