Author | Lightnews

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 1d

A group of men stop to have their picture taken on the #CliftonSuspensionBridge. You can see that the chains have already been installed and the original toll booths are under construction.

c. 1863

Black and white photo of the Clifton Suspension Bridge under construction looking through the Clifton tower down the roadway. The tower has scaffolding on it and the top of the tower hasn't been put on yet, but the chains have been installed. There are men working in the foreground, with a few looking at the camera.

1 2 18

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 4d

View of the Leigh Woods Tower of the #CliftonSuspensionBridge from Observatory Hill.

📷 Michael McKay

View of the Leigh Woods Tower and Abutment of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The trees have started to lose all of their leaves and the roadway disappears off to the left of the photo. It has a filter that makes it appear almost vintage.

8

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 8d

The photo is attributed to Cundall Downes and Co of 168 New Bond Street, was found by one of our volunteers in a Reece Winstone book recently. It's listed as being taken in 1855, but Brunel seems to have a bit too much hair for that date.

4

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 8d

We have a research question to put to the group about this photo of #Brunel that no one on our #CliftonSuspensionBridge team has seen before.

We can't seem to find the image or mention of it online anywhere. Have you seen it before or know anything about it?

Scan of a black and white portrait of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He is sitting down, with one hand in his trouser pocket. He is wearing a waistcoat, jacket and small scarf around his neck. He is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. His hair is fairly mussed.

1 5 8

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 21d

We're recruiting for a Bridge Attendant to join the team based at Clifton Suspension Bridge. This is a full time shift-based role that's customer focussed & involves assisting bridge users, alongside some heavy lifting and minor maintenance. Find out more here: cliftonbridge.org.uk/about-us/job...

A view down the roadway of the Clifton Suspension Bridge with a blue sky.

3 8

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 28d

Definitely come along for a visit!

1 1

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 28d

Thank you, we're so pleased!

1 1

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 28d

The Lantern Tours are all booked up for this year, but there are still a few spaces to explore the vaults on our other experiences before we close them in October (don't worry, tours start again in April 2026) 🦺 🎩

cliftonbridge.org.uk/bookatour

Book a Tour at the Clifton Suspension Bridge

Delve under Bristol's iconic landmark, or join onto a free weekend tour. There are lots of ways to see the bridge!

cliftonbridge.org.uk

5

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · 28d

We're excited to announce that #CliftonSuspensionBridge Museum is up for an award at this year's Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards! Our Underground Lantern Tour is a finalist in the Active & Learning Experience of the Year category. We couldn't be more proud of the our team of storytellers!

3 6 63

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 30

Hand-colouring was popular in the early 20th century and involved applying pigment (from watercolours, oils or dyes) to a black and white image. The process resulted in unique, individualised works of art that were especially popular as souvenirs 🖌🎨

7

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 30

A postcard featuring a highly-colourised image of the #CliftonSuspensionBridge with a paddle steamer underneath. The postcard is from our archive and a digital copy can be found here: bit.ly/3IPoZ8H

Black and white photo of the Clifton Suspension Bridge taken from Observatory Hill taken in the early 20th century. The Avon Gorge is full of leafy trees and a Paddle Steamer sails underneath the bridge in a full River Avon. The photo has been hand-coloured, as was the style, so the trees appear a muted green, both towers of the bridge and the abutment are red and the caps on the towers are yellow. It appears to have been done in a hurry or by a relatively unskilled person, as the lines are not crisp and the colours quite simple.

1 3 29

Reposted by Clifton Suspension Bridge

Weird Bristol @weirdbristol.bsky.social · Sep 9

On one night in 1564 the skies above Bristol were said to have filled with colourful beams of light. At the time this was seen as an omen heralding the return of the plague to the city but it’s now theorised it was likely the aurora borealis being visible unusually far south.

3 26

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 8

Anyone else feeling the end of summer blues? 🌧

📷 Jonny Gios

Aerial photograph looking down at the Clifton Suspension Bridge and surrounding area. The sky is a dark grey, with lots of clouds giving it a rainy, autumnal vibe.

16

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 5

As the weather gets cooler (rainier) it's the perfect time to crack open an old favourite or dive into something new.

Visit our online shop to browse our selection of books inspired by nature (and Brunel, of course) and use code READABOOK for 10% off all books this weekend 🎩

📚 bit.ly/3UUPKeo

Stack of nature-themed books sitting on a woolly, plaid scarf again a brick wall backdrop. The book are, from bottom to top, Trees and Woodland in the British Landscape by Oliver Rackham, A Spotter's Guide to Countryside Mysteries by John Wright, Treasury of Folklore: Woodlands and Forests by Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham, The Wisdom and Trees by Max Adams, and The Little Book of Foraging by Kitty Greenbrown sitting upright on top with the cover facing out. There is a small, orange velvet pumpkin sitting on top of the books.

4

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 1

A diversion route will be signed using Bridge Valley Road, Brunel Way and A369 Rownham Hill. Traffic following the official signed diversion routes from the bridge during these times will be exempt from Bristol City Council’s Clean Air Zone.

1

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 1

During this closure contractor, Taziker, will be undertaking scaffolding works, preparation works to the chains and painting the chains from the roadway. The Trust will also take advantage of the closure to conduct inspections and general maintenance.

1 1

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Sep 1

📣 Bridge Closure 📣

The #CliftonSuspensionBridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic this weekend from 7:00pm on Friday 5 September until 7:00am on Monday 8 September. Pedestrians will still be able to walk across the bridge using the north footway and the museum will be open as usual.

Photo taken from the scaffolding erected around the Clifton Suspension Bridge chains, high up towards the Clifton Tower. You are looking across the bridge and the Avon Gorge from this vantage point towards the Leigh Woods Tower. There are two people on the scaffolding, with their backs towards the camera. They are wearing orange hi-vis with Taziker on the back and white hard hats. The trees in the gorge are lush and green, the river is half full with water and there are cars driving across the bridge.

1 5

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 29

It's the final weekend to come and visit The Bristol Barker at the #CliftonSuspensionBridge! Pick up a Grand Appeal 3 trail map from the museum and see how many you can check off 🐶

A funny sign, that looks like a worksite safety sign, listing regulations for the site which read: Warning, Neat and tidy work in progress, Gnomes only beyond this point, and Hot tea must be consumed. It is attached to a black iron gate, with real safety signs behind and the Clifton Suspension Bridge Leigh Woods Tower in the background.

The Gromit sculpture for the Gromit Unleashed 3 Trail in support of the Grand Appeal Charity. The sculpture is called The Bristol Barker and is painted in a graphic style with red, blues and pinks. There are also specific local words painted on it, such as Brizzle and Gert Lush.

2 12

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 27

Are you more of a sunrise or sunset person? 🌅

📷 Lee Pullen

Looking across the Clifton Suspension Bridge from the Leigh Woods Abutment to Clifton. The line of the roadway and fencing gets smaller and smaller as it disappears into the Clifton Tower. The River Avon is at high tide and the sun is just appearing from behind the Clifton Tower. Everything is bathed in the golden light of dawn.

2 6

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 16

Take a closer look behind (above?) the chains of the major, once-in-a-generation project at the #CliftonSuspensionBridge

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Aug 16

‘Quite a project’: refurbishing the chains of Clifton Suspension Bridge

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 1864 structure still has 99% of its original ironwork but needs preserving and sprucing up It is a bit like that awkward job of painting behind a radiator – but on a vast scale and while perched high above a river gorge atop gently swaying scaffolding. The challenging task of preserving and sprucing up Clifton Suspension Bridge’s wrought-iron chains, which needs to be done every 25 years, is in full swing. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

1 4

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 13

Looking for an all-ages family day out? Stop by the #CliftonSuspensionBridge Museum and pick up a free #GromitUnleashed3 Trail Map before saying hello to The Bristol Barker and Mr. Darcy up on Observatory Hill.

Then see how many of the Clifton sculptures you can check off the list! 🐾

Looking towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge from the pavement near the Chapter & Holmes coffee wagon to the right and The Bristol Barker Gromit sculpture to the right. In the background you can just see the top of the Leigh Woods towers, but there is fencing in the way to protect the work site. A grey car is driving past.

7

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 12

Did we mention that the vaults are always 13 degrees? A bit of a reprieve from the growing heat... ☀️

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 11

Did you know that you can go inside the #CliftonSuspensionBridge? 👷🌉

Booking available throughout the school holidays until Halloween.

cliftonbridge.org.uk/bookatour

Inside the Clifton Suspension Bridge vaults, looking up towards the vaulted ceiling. A person in yellow hi-vis and a blue hard hat it up on a ladder, which is leaned against the side wall, which is made of the Avon Gorge. Loads of stalactites hang from the ceiling.

2 9

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 11

Did you know that you can go inside the #CliftonSuspensionBridge? 👷🌉

Booking available throughout the school holidays until Halloween.

cliftonbridge.org.uk/bookatour

1 9

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 11

See also: how to not provide relevant information while also championing a historic landmark.

Thanks, Google AI?

Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · Aug 10

Thanks google AI but I meant to type “shut”…

1 10

Clifton Suspension Bridge @brunelsbridge.bsky.social · Aug 7

Really appreciate it!

1