England's steepest street where locals wear crampons and cars roll away

Motorists would be well advised to ensure the handbrake is firmly engaged when parking on this extraordinarily steep street — or risk watching their vehicle career to the bottom of the hill.

Residents of Totterdown in Bristol must have particularly strong legs, especially those living on Vale Street, which was officially recognised as the steepest road in England back in 2019. Indeed, the incline is so severe that staircases have been installed on either side to assist pedestrians making their way up.

Fortunately, the street itself is relatively short, measuring just 0.2km in length. Nevertheless, according to reports, it boasts a remarkable elevation of 17m and an average gradient of 22 degrees. The dramatic slope means residents must dash outside in their pyjamas and trek to the bottom of the road simply to collect a Friday night takeaway. It also presents a considerable headache for delivery drivers and those who have yet to master the challenge of parking on a steep incline.

Others have resorted to tying themselves to lampposts when tackling the slope, while some motorists park their cars sideways so their vehicles don't roll away.

Despite the obvious drawbacks of living on Vale Street, residents appear to have adapted remarkably well. "It's fine most of the time. It's the winter that is the hardest part," says resident Appleby-Tyler, an artist who has called the street home 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." The street's peculiar claim to fame has, nevertheless, made it an ideal venue for distinctive events such as an egg-rolling competition 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. "

Vale Street made the news again in 2020, when a new Banksy popped up at the bottom, titled ‘Aachoo!!’. The art depicted a woman sneezing so hard that her dentures fly out. Sadly, it was a sneeze and you'll miss it situation. The art work was removed from the wall and sold.

Should your budget not extend to San Francisco - a city equally famous for its dramatically steep streets - you can travel a far more manageable 119 miles from London to Vale Street. The journey takes approximately three hours, though this can be reduced to under two and a half hours if you opt for the train and bus. Direct trains to Bristol cost as little as £38.50, depending on your flexibility.