Spanning Avon Gorge in Bristol is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a Grade I listed bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Sadly, he died five years before its completion, but the bridge went on to become one of Bristol's most recognisable landmarks.
Famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter films, where the Hogwarts Express is shown puffing over it, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is part of the West Highland railway line in Scotland. It's also featured on some Scottish banknotes.
The beautiful Pulteney bridge in Bath, like the Ponte Vecchi in Florence, is one of just a few historic bridges with space for shops built into both sides. Completed in 1773, the bridge crosses the River Avon, and is named after the local man who ordered its construction.
At the time of its opening in 1928 the world's longest single span bridge, the iconic Tyne bridge links Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead.
Both Oxford and Cambridge have a "Bridge of Sighs," named for their supposed similarity to the covered bridge of the same name in Venice. Both are part of a college, and are used daily by students as a throroughfare.
There is perhaps no bridge in the world more famous than London's Tower Bridge, which has stood in the capital since the late 19th century. Famously, in 1952 the bridge opened while a double decker bus was crossing it. The driver made the decision to take the vehicle over the gap, and landed safely on the other side.
The first bridge in the world to be made of cast iron, the Iron Bridge crosses the River Severn in Shropshire. The bridge became something of a tourist attraction after it was completed in 1779, with the name Ironbridge later bestowed on the village that sprung up next to it.
The foundation stone of the Tay Bridge, connecting the city of Dundee and Wormit in Fife, was laid on July 6 1883, though it did not open for another four years. Another bridge previously existed on the same stretch of river, but famously collapsed in 1879, killing all 75 people on board the train travelling over it at the time.
Monnow Bridge in Monmouth, Wales, is the only surviving medieval fortified river bridge in Britain which still has an intact gate tower. Built in the late 13th century, it was probably intended to provide some defence for the people who lived there, as well as creating a perfect excuse for a toll tax.
Fans of Robert Burns will know Brig o'Doon from his poem Tam o'Shanter; it's when galloping his horse over this bridge that protagonist Tam finally manages to escape Nannie the witch. The bridge is medieval, and can be found near Alloway in South Ayrshire.
Another design of Brunel's, the Royal Albert Bridge carries trains over the River Tamar from Devon into Cornwall. Brunel's name can be seen inscribed above either end of the bridge.
The quaint Robber's Bridge in the forest of Exmoor is thought to owe its name to the outlaws who used to roam the area. Now, it's a popular picnic spot for anyone visiting Lorna Doone country.
A rickety wooden footbridge crossing the river River Cam between two parts of Queen's College, Cambridge, is affectionately known as the "Mathematical Bridge". Legend says it was built by Sir Isaac Newton without recourse to nuts or bolts. If he did, it is probably his greatest achievement, as he died 22 years before its construction.
The epic Ribblehead Viaduct in North Yorkshire is a feat of Victorian engineering. Over 100 feet tall at its highest point, with 24 arches, it is slightly curved so passengers on the Settle-Carlisle railway can see the viaduct as they cross the River Ribble.
The 15th-century bridge in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, is one of only a handful of bridges in England to have a chapel on it – though such designs were not uncommon in the medieval period. During the Civil War, Cromwell's troops partially blew up the bridge to stop the King's troops heading to London.
Connecting Edinburgh with Fife, the Forth Bridge is one is Scotland's most-loved landmarks. Opened in 1890, for over two decades it was the longest single cantilever bridge in the world. Over 60 men are thought to have lost their lives during its construction.
No comments:
Write comments