If you’ve ever visited the city of Cambridge, you would have seen people (often university students) punting the river. This is essentially using a flat-bottomed tool to push against the river bed, while travelling in a flat-bottomed boat. Above is an image of punting under the city’s Bridge of Sighs (legend has it that if a couple kisses while passing under it, they will enjoy eternal love!) Built nearly 200 years ago at St John’s College, it’s a master of architecture.
Punting was introduced to Cambridge society as a pleasure activity in the early 1900s. The pole is actually quite difficult to use, and steers like a rudder, but not too much to slow down the boat. Although they look similar, punting boats are not the same as Italian gondolas, popular in Venice. Although it’s still good to have a professional take you punting, venetian gondolas are different in that they use oars (and usually have guides who sing to you!)
an (almost) impossible ‘mathematical’ bridge
Although Cambridge’s Bridge of Sighs (built over 200 years ago, inspired by Venice) is often touted as the city’s most beautiful bridge, the Mathematical Bridge is a genius feat of engineering, as it uses straight planks to build a curved bridge (kind of impossible, but obviously not). Built in the mid 18th century, the design is said to be influenced by a drawing made by Leonardo da Vinci, and a similar bridge also exists in Denmark. The strength comes from the triangular design, which means no hinges are needed at the joints.
This bridge is made from interlocking timber pieces, set at unique angles, with no lateral force that could cause bending to stress and break the wood. Situated on the River Cam, the bridge connects two areas of Queen’s College, and is a popular sight for people punting the river. It’s a myth that Isaac Newton built the bridge (he died 22 years before).
a beautiful bridge in a beautiful city
Pulteney Bridge (Bath) is a beautiful bridge in a beautiful city, a fine example of Georgian architecture from Robert Adam. Literary fans will know it as the site of the suicide of Inspector Javart in Les Misérables. Independent shops are built into the bridge on both sides.
The bridge was originally built to connect the main city of Bath with the estate of Frances Pulteney, a local heiress who was married to a baronet. Scottish architect Robert Adam designed the bridge with a horseshoe shape, to control the flow of river water. However swimmers are not to swim in the weir, as the current is too strong.
Designed to mimic medieval bridges in Venice like Ponte Vecchio, many people often walk across it to view the shops, unaware that it is actually a bridge. Today it remains one of the most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in England.
an iconic suspension bridge in Bristol
Clifton Suspension Bridge (Bristol) is well-known and often depicted with hot air balloons overhead. The bridge was only completed five years after the death of Brunel, and is now known worldwide. The bridge links the trendy suburb of Clifton to Leigh Woods in Somerset. The bridge’s design was ‘won’ after a competition from various architect submissions. The repurposed wrought iron chains (repurposed from Hungerford Chain Suspension Bridge) means this is likely the world’s first ‘zero waste’ bridge too.
Alas the bridge has been the site of many suicides. One interesting story is of a young woman decades ago who tried to kill herself by jumping off. But her long billowing skirt acted like a parachute and she ended up living well into her 80s.
Not too far away in Shropshire is The Iron Bridge, made of cast iron, and one of the main historical reminders of the Industrial Revolution, when goods were shipped by canal to London. It’s now a World Heritage Site.
the bridge that links Newcastle & Gateshead
Tyne Bridge in northwest England is known as the place that links the cities of Newcastle & Gateshead. Located in one of the coldest areas of England (sitting on the same latitude as Scandinavia), the bridge is also home to a colony of around 700 kittiwakes, who use the bridge for nesting. Built in 1928, it was originally built to help keep the skills of shipbuilders alive, during a serious recession. It’s often said it’s based on the design of Sydney Harbour Bridge, but the Australian bridge was build 3 years later. It was a risky business, with many buildings demolished to make way for the bridge, and sadly one man even died during construction, when he fell into the river.
Built from steel and granite, the bridge was cited as a major feat of engineering, and opened by the then King, with great fanfare. It took almost 3 years to build, and is now known worldwide as one of the best bridges.
More so than the equally famous statue ‘Angel of the North’, which greets motorists in both cities from the side of the road. Some say this could cause car accidents, and others say it resembles a Nazi propaganda statue. Built using £800,000 of National Lottery funds (which surely could have funded something more useful), locals often call it the ‘Gateshead flasher’.
a magnificent Victorian London bridge
Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge built in the late 1800s, to give people better access to the East End. Often confused with London Bridge (half a mile away), the urban (denied) legend is that an American (who bought a bridge to put in Arizona) bought the wrong one!
The bridge was originally built to allow ships to pass underneath, while letting walkers and cars pass overhead. It took almost 8 years to build and almost 500 workers. Even today the bridge still opens for ships to pass. And visitors can watch all the action through the famed thick glass floors. Braille booklets are available for blind people to also enjoy all the action.
In 1952, a double-decker bus began to slide as the bridge accidentally opened. Driver Albert Gunter saved everyone’s lives by making a split-second decision to accelerate to clear the opening gap (a bit like in the film Speed when the road wasn’t built). There were no serious injuries and to reward his bravery, he was awarded the princely sum of £10!
