It’s Bristol’s most iconic symbol. Last year, everyone’s favourite suspension bridge celebrated 150 years with a spectacular firework display, watched by what seemed like the whole city. But delving a little deeper into the history of our most famous landmark turns up some surprising information. Here are a few factual nuggets about that bridge in Clifton…
Brunel didn’t actually build all of it
Sure, Bristol’s best engineering brain designed the majority of the structure you see today, and described the Clifton Suspension Bridge as, 'My first love, my darling.' However, following the 1831 Queen’s Square riots, early construction on the bridge had to be halted and on Brunel’s death in 1859 the bridge was still not completed. The task fell to Sir John Hawkshaw and William Henry Barlow, who modified the bridge's design, and it wasn’t until December 1864 that the bridge was finally opened to the public.
It’s supposed to have sphinxes on it
Seriously. Brunel’s original plans were an ornate, Egyptian-inspired design, complete with sphinxes sitting atop the towers. Sadly, once construction began they realised that this wasn’t going to be possible and it was redesigned in a more plain format. I think a couple of sphinxes would look pretty awesome though, eh, Bristol City Council?
One of the towers is not a solid construction
It was always assumed that the two towers that make up the bridge were solid lumps of brick. But in 2002 it was discovered that, true to Brunel's fascination with Egyptian design, the tower on the Leigh Woods side is hollow, made up of a series of vaulted chambers linked by tunnels. Who knows what secrets lie inside…
Daredevil pilots used to fly underneath it
That’s right, underneath it. Up until the 1930s, pilots used to perform death-defying stunts by flying under the bridge, until it was eventually deemed too dangerous. It wasn’t until 1957 that it was attempted again, but unfortunately it didn’t end well. I think we’ll stick to a colourful bunch of balloons floating above it, thanks.
Flickr: Paul Townsend
It hides a magical secret
If you take a stroll up to the bridge, make a short detour to visit one of Bristol’s best kept secrets – the slidy patch. I’m not entirely sure if that’s the technical term for the short patch of smooth rock polished to perfection by Bristolian bottoms – a lot of people call it the Clifton rockslide – but it sure is fun to slide down on a sunny afternoon.
Learn more about another Bristol institution, club night Just Jack.