History
The history of the Clifton Suspension Bridge is interesting, rich and fascinating, with a story that begins in 1754. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust is custodian to both the bridge itself and its historical records and artefacts.
A Grade I listed structure, Clifton Suspension Bridge is deemed worthy of the highest quality conservation and record keeping in order to preserve one of the oldest surviving iron suspension bridges in the world. Our collections are now online with much archive content to discover, while ongoing research offers new opportunities to understand the bridge and its surrounding environment.
Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. A young and innovative engineer, he was 24 when he was appointed for the project which came about through a competition. Brunel described the bridge as ‘my first child, my darling’, and the ingenious bridge, which took 33 years to complete, marked the beginning of a great engineering career.
Traversing the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge has become a highly recognisable structure that is one of Bristol’s top tourist attractions. Sir Abraham Elton called it ‘the ornament of Bristol and the wonder of the age’ back in 1831, and while – thanks to technological advances – wonders have moved on, Clifton Suspension Bridge remains the enduring symbol of the city of Bristol here in the UK.
What do we have in our collections?
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust holds collections relating to the bridge and its history.
Accessing our collections and related material
Historical records relating to the history of the bridge are held by Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust and other institutions across Bristol.
Our Collections
Our collections demonstrate the enduring renown of Bristol’s most iconic landmark. You can search our collection archive below:
See Also
Teaching ResourcesWhen a Stalactite Falls
The twelve cavernous, vaulted chambers underneath the Leigh Woods Tower are festooned with fragile stalactites which can occasionally fall from the ceiling, smashing into fragments…
‘Who open’d the Bridge?’
For Bristol, 8 December 1864, the day of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s opening was a city-wide party and a chance for anyone who had any…
Students help create historic encounters
This autumn we have been working with a couple of History A-Level students from South Gloucestershire & Stroud College who are on placement with us.…
Coronation Celebrations
On 6 May 2023, King Charles III will be crowned alongside the Queen consort at Westminster Abbey. Throughout the years the Bridge has been illuminated…
Brunel Between the Lines
Written by Sam Harris for a University West of England placement, this article was inspired by several visits to the Brunel Institute and Clifton Suspension…
Photographing the bridge: a stereoscopic journey
Scroll through any Bristolian Instagram feed and you’ll come across an image of the bridge almost immediately. In fact, it’s the most Instagrammable place in…
Clifton Suspension Bridge and Dowlais Iron Company
Since the Dowlais Iron Company made the iron that was used to forge the original chains, their importance to the Clifton Suspension Bridge was significant.…
5 ½ Tons per Square Inch
This figure featured in the judging of the competing designs for the Clifton Bridge, and refers to the maximum tension in the suspension chains. If…
Next Steps
For more information or to discuss research enquiries, please contact:
Hannah Little, Archivist