Founded in 1891 and opened on 7th July, 1892, the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway continues to transport passengers up and down the 111 ft red sandstone cliffs which separate High Town from Low Town and the picturesque River Severn.
“Being first and foremost a working funicular, its importance to Bridgnorth townspeople and visitors alike is undiminished by age.”
The cliff railway operates by two counter-balancing carriages travelling in opposite directions on parallel tracks. Originally, the cars were powered by a water-balance system with water for the ballast tanks pumped back to the top station using gas engines. After the second of these was taken out of service, the system was converted to one of electrically operated winding drums. These are of a type used in mines.
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway was founded by the famous Victorian hydraulic lift engineer Sir George Croydon Marks, who later became Lord Marks of Woolwich. George also engineered the cliff railway and became its first managing director until 1901. His brother Edward, another engineer, became its next managing director until 1924. The cliff railway is now owned by distant cousins who bought the original company in 2011.
The famous Winding House, situate next to the Top Station serves twenty types of tea. From here one can view the winding gear through a viewing window or sit out on the terrace from where one can see the wonderful views across the River Severn. Directly above the Bottom Station, the Stoneway Guest House offers a unique B & B experience.
See the Cliff Railway’s website for operating times and prices.
Eileen Tipping receiving the Queens Baton Relay 2022
