England’s steepest street in UK city where cars are at risk of rolling away

Stuck delivery drivers, crampon-studded shoes, and sideways-parking – life on England’s steepest street requires some skill – but locals say it’s ‘fine most of the time’

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BRISTOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: A man walks away from artwork by Banksy on December 12, 2020 in Bristol, England. Banksy claimed the artwork "achoo" as his in a tweet after it appeared on the side of a house on Vale Street in Bristol, England's steepest street, overnight on Thursday. The owner, Mrs Aileen Makin, had been due to exchange contracts next week but has pulled out of the sale. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

Life on England’s steepest street is much harder than you’d imagine(Image: Getty Images)

Don’t forget to put the handbrake on if you’re parking on this insanely steep street – or risk seeing your car plunge to the bottom of the road.

Locals living in Totterdown, Bristol, must have calves of steel, particularly those living on Vale Street – which was crowned the steepest in England back in 2019. In fact, the street is so steep there are stairs on either side to help pedestrians clamber up.

Luckily, the street isn’t a long one – measuring in at just 0.2km. However, according to reports, it has a staggering elevation of 17m and an average gradient slope of 22 degrees. The huge incline means you’ll have to scurry outside in your pyjamas and traipse to the end of the road just to collect your Friday night takeaway. It’s also a complete nightmare for delivery drivers and those who haven’t quite mastered the art of parking sideways yet.

BRISTOL: Tuesday 9 January 2024 // A Hermes delivery truck becomes hopelessly stuck and wedged into place on Britains steepest Street. The lorry rests at the junction of Park Street and Vale Street, in Totterdown, the latter being Bristol's and the UK's steepest street with an incline of 22 degrees. BristolLive has previously been told the gradient is so sharp that during the winter, some cars have to be tied to lampposts to prevent them from sliding down the hill when the road surface is icy. PHOTO:PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc

Would you cope with living on the steepest street in England?(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

Despite the clear downside to living on Vale Street, residents appear to have acclimatised. “It’s fine most of the time. It’s the winter that is the hardest part,” says resident Appleby-Tyler, an artist who has lived on the street for more than a decade.

“It gets very slippery so we have to wear crampons if we want to leave the house. They’re like studs you can add to your shoes,” he told Yahoo News back in 2023. “Deliveries can be tricky. When we got a new washing machine we had to go and collect it and bring it down.”

Vale Street in Bristol which has been named the steepest road in the UK. Bristol. April 15 2019. See SWNS story SWBRstreet. Vale Street has been named the steepest road in the UK and locals are forced to tie their cars to lampposts when the road gets icy.Some people just stay at home and have a day off, resident Mat Goren told BristolLive.Every Easter residents take part in an egg-race where the person whose yolk travels the furthest without breaking is crowned the winner.Situated in the Totterdown district of Bristol, the 22-degree slope has attracted cycling enthusiasts who say it is â€˜just about rideableâ€™ on Twitter

Locals are forced to park sideways on the street – otherwise their cars would roll away(Image: Tom Wren SWNS)

The street’s unusual claim to fame has, however, made it the perfect place to host unique events such as an egg-rolling contest on Easter Sunday – which sees dozens of boiled eggs race their way down the steep street. Residents also don’t have to compete for free parking spaces, which is somewhat of a rarity in Bristol, due to many motorists not being brave enough to try and rev up the hill.

“Home to (apparently) the steepest hill in the UK, Totterdown makes no apologies for its inclines, but it’s easy to forgive when you consider what’s on offer here,” explains Boardwalk Estate Agents, which operates in the area. “Thriving local businesses, colourful Victorian terraces, and a real family-feel to the suburb, all make for very comfortable living in Totterdown, Bristol. “

If your budget doesn’t stretch to San Fransisco – a city also renowned for its crazy steep streets – you can travel a much more manageable 119 miles from London to Vale Street. The journey takes around three hours, but can be slashed down to under two and a half hours if you take the train and bus. Direct trains to Bristol cost as little as £38.50, depending on your flexibility.

*Prices based on Trainline listings at the time of writing.

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