Clifton Suspension Bridge Archives

Photograph showing passengers boarding ferry with the towers of Clifton Suspension Bridge visible in the distance

GB 3493 AA/1/C/1
Item
c. 1857-1862

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

unknown

Stereoview showing the tower of Clifton Suspension Bridge and Hotwells Spa

GB 3493 AA/1/S/1
Item
c. 1850s

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

Inscribed "Rocks at Clifton on the Avon at Bristol, Engd". The abutments and towers of Clifton Suspension Bridge were built between 1836 and 1843. However, money ran out and the project was finally abandoned when the Clifton Suspension Bridge Act expired in 1853 and the existing ironwork was sold off. Work did not begin again on site to finish the bridge until 1862.

unknown

Photograph of Clifton Suspension Bridge

GB 3493 AA/1/C/10
Item
c. 1868-1880

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

Reverse carries stamp and Royal crest: "Photographer to the Queen and H.R.H the Prince of Wales / C. V. Bark (Late Beattie & Bark) / Strathearn House / Clifton Bristol."

Bark, Cyrus Voss (d.1913)

Stereoview of the construction of Clifton Suspension Bridge showing scaffolding and falsework for chains taken from the Clifton side

GB 3493 AA/1/S/10
Item
August 1863

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

The chains were completed by 6 May 1864.

unknown

Stereoview of the Menheniot Viaduct, Cornwall

GB 3493 AA/1/S/100
Item
c.1850s

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

Reverse has text: "151. Menheniot Viaduct, Cornwall. / The Cornish Railway is carried at a high level, and the numerous valleys it has to cross are spanned with Viaducts of the most light and seemingly fragile construction. The Viaduct at Menheniot is one of the loftiest, and is the most ornamental on the line. It is a beautiful piece of woodwork, and a most picturesque object in connection with the richly wooded valley it spans." Label: "Sold by Edward Lavin, Mineral Museum, Chapel Street, Penzance".

Spreat, W, publisher, 229 High Street, Exeter

Stereoview of the Menheniot Viaduct, Cornwall

GB 3493 AA/1/S/101
Item
c.1850s

Part of The Adrian Andrews Collection

Reverse has text: "152. Menheniot Viaduct, Cornwall. / The height of this Viaduct, the most ornamental on the Cornwall Railway, is best seen and appreciated from the valley below. Its appearance is truly grand, stepping with gigantic strides from hill to hill, and dwarfing the tallest trees."
In 1845 the Cornwall Railway surveyed a line to link Plymouth with Truro and Falmouth, together with several branches. I K Brunel was the engineer. The viaduct at Menheniot was one of 34 timber fan viaducts built to Brunel's standard design.

Spreat, W, publisher, 229 High Street, Exeter