Bridgnorth Cliff Railway - England's only inland funicular railway is a poplar tourist attraction and a must see for train enthusiasts.
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway
Trains and Tourist Attractions - Bridgnorth
Opened on 7th July 1892 in a ceremony performed by the Mayor, Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has been transporting people up and down the sandstone cliffs ever since.
The railway was originally built to improve communications and transport between the High Town and Low Town of Bridgnorth whilst avoiding the need to scale over 200 steps up the 111ft cliffs. After a council meeting in 1890 a proposal was laid down for a Patent Cliff Railway and plans were accepted for a route to be built from the bottom of the Stoneway Steps to the end of Castle Walk. After successfully overcoming problems during its construction, the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway was 201ft long with 33 degree incline, officially the steepest in England.
The trains and carriages were widely reknowned for their safety, with sleepers bolted into solid rock and steel cables able to support 15 times the weight of the cars.
Now, as England's only inland funicular railway, Bridgnorth Cliff Railway is widely recognised as one of Shropshire's most popular days out and attractions, a reputation undiminished by age. The railway and it's trains are open all year round and offer excellent value for money at only £1 for a return journey with reductions for groups! The railway operates by counterbalancing two trains on parallel tracks, connected to each other using steel cables.
Try it once and you'll understand why it's one of Shropshire's top tourist attractions. The Cliff Railway offers stunning views across the River Severn and the Severn Valley. These views were once described in 1642 by King Charles I as "the finest in his domain". Although popular with the visitors and tourists, The Bridgnorth Cliff Railway is primarily a working railway, with great importance to both townspeople and visitors.
The Cliff Railway is open:
Summer
Monday - Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 12noon - 8pm
Winter
Monday - Saturday 8am - 6.30pm
Sunday 12noon - 6.30pm
Tickets and postcards are available from both the top and bottom stations.
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway
Trains and Tourist Attractions - Bridgnorth