The line ran along the north bank of the River Avon in Bristol, England, to a deep water pier on the Severn Estuary at Avonmouth.

[3]: 37 The BPRP ran into trouble by 1871 when the terminal pier at Avonmouth became difficult to use due to a build-up of silt.

With no prospect of a proper dock being funded without a connection to the national rail network, the Clifton Extension Railway (CER) was approved.

Services for the general public were withdrawn on 1 October 1902, but the station was used for unadvertised workers' trains until 15 May 1903, with the official closure the following day.

[3]: 37  The area did however see some development, as the Avonmouth Hotel was built adjacent to the station, as well as 10 acres (40,000 m2) of pleasure gardens.

The gardens boasted a concert hall, as well as an ornamental lake, and hosted fêtes at Easter and Whitsun.

It provided accommodation for many Europeans emigrating to the Americas via Avonmouth, and during the First World War it housed the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.