Clifton Gorge, Avon

Curnock's fine view of the Clifton Gorge shows the piers of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's suspension bridge poised to span the Avon. Having won the competion to design the bridge in 1829, Brunel had to wait until funds were sufficient to complete successive stages of the project, and the work was not completed until 1864, five years after his death. The piers were laid in 1836, before work was abandoned in 1853, only to be resumed again in 1862. The bridge stretches for 702 feet between them at a height of 245 feet.