The Downs, Bristol

The Downs in Bristol, England, encompass a vast expanse of public open limestone downland. They are comprised of two main sections: Durdham Down in the north and east, and Clifton Down in the south, with Stoke Road acting as a dividing line between them.

The Downs are widely used for recreational activities, including leisurely walks, team sports, and sightseeing, particularly along the breathtaking Avon Gorge cliff edge. Within the area, there are permanent football pitches utilized by the Bristol Downs Football League. Additionally, temporary attractions such as circuses and the annual Bristol Flower Show are set up on the Downs.

A gray concrete water tower, constructed in 1954, can be found on the Downs near the summit of Blackboy Hill. Adjacent to it is a lengthy covered reservoir.

In 1982, an advertisement placed in a local newspaper by the creators of the new breakfast television show TV-am drew a crowd of 6,000 people to the Downs. They gathered to form the words "Good Morning Britain," which were filmed for the show's opening titles. The process of positioning the participants took two hours, followed by two more hours to capture the shot.

Since 2016, the Downs have served as the venue for The Downs Festival, an annual music festival that attracts both local and nationally renowned bands.