Clifton, Glocestershire


A Topographical and Statistical Description of the County of Somerset etc (1810) by George Alexander Cooke

The village of Clifton is universally allowed to be one of the most agreeable, healthy and pleasant spots in the kingdom; the air is so remarkably pure and salubrious as to occasion its being stiled the English Montpelier. It lies in the hundred of Kings-Burton; it is situated on the south and west of a cliff or hill( whence its name) one mile westward of the city of Bristol, over great part of which it commands a very pleasing prospect ,as also of the ships and vessels that , on the flood and ebb tide, sail up and down the Avon. On the opposite shore the well-cultivated lands of Somersetshire, present themselves in a very beautiful landscape, rising gradually four of five miles from the verge of the river to the top of Dundry Hill, whereon a high tower, esteemed the Proteus of the weather as being continually enveloped with mist so as scarcely to be visible, against the rain; but on the contrary, if it is seen clear and distinct, it denotes it will be a fine day.

The delightful situation of Clifton has long since tempted several persons of large fortune to make it their principal residence and others continuing to follow their example, has occasioned the hill to be almost everywhere covered with respectable mansions, most of them built with free-stone in a very elegant stile; and a noble crescent on a plan superior to anything of the kind. Here are also a great number of handsome houses, built purposely for letting lodgings; some nearly adjoining the Hot-Wells.

At a small distance is Doury-square, the Parade, and for those who choose a gentle elevation there is Albermarle-row, and above that are others still higher rising in every gradation to the top of Clifton-hill where many airy lodging houses that command a fine prospect of the country abound.

The general price paid for lodgings, either at the Hot-Wells or Clifton is 10 shillings a week for each room from the 25th March to the 29th September, from which time to the 25th March again is only 5 shillings each room : servants room half price: and for those who choose to board, the usual price is 16 shillings a week each person, over and above what is paid for lodging: this for any time of the year: servants are boarded at half price.

Please note that the position of Clifton is not marked on the original map: the "show me" link indicates where it would have been.

Use the "Show me" link to locate Clifton on the map. You may need to scroll down to see Clifton highlighted.
Quotations
 Chapter 11 
We shall drive directly to Clifton and dine there; and, as soon as dinner is over, if there is time for it, go on to Kingsweston.”

You do not know how vexed I am; I shall have no pleasure at Clifton, nor in anything else.

“If your brother had not got such a d — beast to drive,” said he soon afterwards, “we might have done it very well. My horse would have trotted to Clifton within the hour, if left to himself, and I have almost broke my arm with pulling him in to that cursed broken–winded jade’s pace. Morland is a fool for not keeping a horse and gig of his own.”

Catherine was disturbed and out of spirits; but Isabella seemed to find a pool of commerce, in the fate of which she shared, by private partnership with Morland, a very good equivalent for the quiet and country air of an inn at Clifton.

 Chapter 13 
The Clifton scheme had been deferred, not relinquished, and on the afternoon’s crescent of this day, it was brought forward again.

But that she must and should retract was instantly the eager cry of both the Thorpes; they must go to Clifton tomorrow, they would not go without her, it would be nothing to put off a mere walk for one day longer, and they would not hear of a refusal.

“I have, upon my soul. Left her this moment. Told her you had sent me to say that, having just recollected a prior engagement of going to Clifton with us tomorrow, you could not have the pleasure of walking with her till Tuesday."

Catherine, relieved for herself, felt uneasy for Isabella, and after a moment’s thought, asked Mr. Allen whether it would not be both proper and kind in her to write to Miss Thorpe, and explain the indecorum of which she must be as insensible as herself; for she considered that Isabella might otherwise perhaps be going to Clifton the next day, in spite of what had passed.

Her escape from being one of the party to Clifton was now an escape indeed; for what would the Tilneys have thought of her, if she had broken her promise to them in order to do what was wrong in itself, if she had been guilty of one breach of propriety, only to enable her to be guilty of another?

 Chapter 14 
Miss Thorpe as she was loitering towards Edgar’s Buildings between two of the sweetest girls in the world, who had been her dear friends all the morning. From her, she soon learned that the party to Clifton had taken place. “They set off at eight this morning,” said Miss Anne, “and I am sure I do not envy them their drive. I think you and I are very well off to be out of the scrape. it must be the dullest thing in the world, for there is not a soul at Clifton at this time of year. Belle went with your brother, and John drove Maria.”
 
Bristol Kingsweston Petty France

Tetbury Wick

- Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index Home Site Map JAInfo

© 2010 The Republic of Pemberley