Clifton Observatory Clifton Down Bristol England Stock Photo

Clifton Observatory is a former mill now used as a observatory.The building was erected in 1766 with the permission of The Society of Merchant Ventures, as a windmill, for corn production. Derelict for 52 years in 1828 it became a artists studio. William West the artist installed a camera obscura and telescopes. A convex lens 13cm x 1.5m , it is one of only three working in the UK. In 1977 Honorbrook Inns purchased the observatory. It is a Grade II listed building