Clifton Suspension Bridge, Suspension bridge in Clifton, England
The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans 412 meters across the Avon Gorge, connecting Bristol to North Somerset with its iron chains and twin towers.
William Vick initiated the bridge project in 1753 with a bequest, leading to construction delays until its final completion by engineers Barlow and Hawkshaw in 1864.
The Grade I listed structure represents Bristol's engineering excellence and serves as a testament to Victorian industrial achievements across the Avon River.
The bridge operates continuously throughout the year, charging vehicles a £1 toll while allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross without payment.
The bridge contains chambers within its abutments that were designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel when he was only 24 years old.
Location: Clifton
Inception: 1864
Architects: Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Official opening: 1864
Height: 72 m
Length: 412 m
Longest Span: 214 m
Width: 9.45 m
Phone: +441179744664
Website: https://cliftonbridge.org.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.45500,-2.62776
Latest update: September 23, 2025 16:45
This collection gathers bridges and engineering structures that mark the history of modern infrastructure worldwide. Structures such as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, with its span of 3,911 meters, or the 37-kilometer Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia demonstrate technological advances made to cross natural obstacles. These include suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, and viaducts that often set records for length or height. From the Confederation Bridge linking Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick in extreme weather conditions, to the Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden, these structures change the geography and facilitate exchanges between regions. The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon, the Norman Bridge crossing the Seine at Honfleur, or the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in Istanbul illustrate how modern engineering addresses transportation needs while adapting to each site's geographic constraints.
This collection presents suspension bridges recognized for their engineering solutions and their role in urban development. The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in Japan spans 1,991 meters between its two towers, the longest distance of its kind in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco demonstrates 1930s engineering with its 1,280-meter main span. In New York, the Brooklyn Bridge has connected Manhattan to Brooklyn since 1883 and serves as an early reference point in modern bridge construction. The Humber Bridge in England held the record for the longest span from 1981 to 1998. In Istanbul, the Bosphorus Bridge has linked Europe to Asia since 1973 across a span of 1,074 meters. The Tower Bridge in London has combined a bascule bridge with suspension elements since 1894. These structures document the evolution of construction techniques over more than a century and remain important transportation routes in their respective regions.
Avon Gorge
15 m
Clifton Rocks Railway
265 m
Clifton Observatory, Bristol
201 m
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre (Free Entry)
242 m
White Lion Inn
273 m
St Vincent's Rocks Hotel And Attached Front Area Walls, Railings And Piers
197 m
House Adjoining And Part Of St Vincent's Rocks Hotel
211 m
Arc Lamp Post Approximately 3 Metres East Of Number 11
275 m
113, Princess Victoria Street
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Number 9 And Attached Area Railings And Gates
180 m
Arc Lamp Post Approximately 3 Metres East Of Number 6
334 m
Number 8 And Attached Area Railings And Gates
179 m
18 And 19, Wellington Terrace
298 m
121, Princess Victoria Street
292 m
Burwalls
227 m
Numbers 4 And 5 And Attached Area Railings And Piers
184 m
The Clifton Spa Pump Room
212 m
Number 7 And Attached Area Railings, Gates And Piers
180 m
Number 6 And Attached Area Railings, Gates And Piers
181 m
Numbers 2 And 3 And Attached Area Railings, Gate And Piers
188 m
Drinking Fountain At St 5676 7317 Approximately 30 Metres North West Of Number 12 Gloucester Row
296 m
Alpenfels
192 m
St Vincent's Priory And Attached Wall And Railings
256 m
Arc Lamp Post Approximately 5 Metres West Of Number 1
234 m
Numbers 14 To 34 (consecutive And Attached Front Basement Area Railings
278 m
The Colonnade And Attached Front Garden Railings
266 m
Number 9A And Attached Area Railings
175 m
Sion Villas
263 mReviews
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