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West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge is a soaring spectacle
It doesn't matter how many times I see it, the Clifton Suspension Bridge does something to my heart and belly. There are few places in Britain where the natural and man-made fuse to such awe-inspiring, stomach-fluttering effect. Built from designs by the legendary Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this feat of 19th century engineering soars 75 metres above a gorge of the River Avon, a portal to the Bristol Channel, a gateway to the Atlantic. I first clapped eyes on this incredible structure early one northern summer's morning, about a decade ago. My partner and I were then living in London, but were keen to scout out alternative (slightly more affordable, but still lively and cosmopolitan) places to live in Britain. On paper, and from what we'd heard, Bristol seemed like a possibility — and we also fancied attending the city's famous annual hot air balloon festival — so we took a night coach from London Victoria and arrived in Bristol before the crack of dawn, when the balloonists would be readying for their flights. The best vantage point, we were told, was Clifton, a lofty, chic village in Bristol's inner-west. As we stood overlooking the gorge at the vast green space of Clifton Down, Brunel's bridge stole our attention. And soon the balloons would be soaring up from the Ashton Court estate, historic deer parkland about a kilometre across the gorge as the crow flies. There was a problem, however. Word got around among the dozens of spectators in Clifton that the wind wasn't right for pilots to take off, and the situation was unlikely to change for a while. So off we went and, after a day of Bristolian walking, brunching, drinking and napping in the parks, we returned to Clifton later that afternoon, just before dusk, as the balloons began floating through the sky. With the bridge in the foreground, it was a sight to behold and I'm picturing the balloons again in my mind today as I stand in a similar spot to a decade ago. It's much cooler now — I'm here in the northern winter — and a few days earlier, a storm had closed the bridge to traffic and pedestrians. It's open again now, though, and I gingerly walk across, my legs trembling slightly because of the occasional gusts, as I survey the scenery. Despite its urbanity, nature hasn't been completely eradicated from Bristol, with verdant hills crinkling the outskirts and the gorge flanked by National Trust-managed woodland. Birds, including redshanks, lapwings and rooks, are regularly spotted here. Just across the bridge from Clifton, I reach the suburb of Leigh Woods, technically outside Bristol's city limits in the county of Somerset. There's a volunteer-run visitor centre here, free to enter, but with donations gratefully received. Exhibits reveal the technical and financial conundrums that planners faced to build the bridge and the efforts (and money) that go into maintaining it. Construction began in 1831, but the project was delayed several times, and actually abandoned in 1843 with only the abutment towers standing. That same year, Brunel's trailblazing iron ocean-going steamship, SS Great Britain, was launched (and now sits as a visitor attraction in Bristol's floating harbour). But he died in 1859, so never got to see the Clifton bridge completed. Two other master Victorian engineers, William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw, revised Brunel's plans and finished the bridge in 1864. Originally meant for light horse-drawn traffic, it is still a key component in Bristol's transport network, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It's free for pedestrians and cyclists and incurs a £1 contactless toll for motorists (about 12,000 vehicles cross daily). The visitor centre also offers free tours on the bridge itself — taking place every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday all year round — while paid-for 'hard hat' and lantern tours offer the chance to explore some of the secluded vaulted cavernous chambers in the Leigh Woods tower. If you'd like to time your visit with some balloon-spotting, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2025 is due to take place between August 8-10, when the skies will be coloured with more than 100 hot air balloons in mass ascents at dawn and dusk — weather permitting, of course. + Steve McKenna was a guest of Visit Britain and Visit Bristol. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication. + The Clifton Suspension Bridge visitor centre is open 10am to 5pm daily. For more details and information on tours, see + For details on the 2025 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, see + Bristol is 90 minutes from London and 15 minutes from Bath by rail. To help plan a trip to Bristol and Britain, see and
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Matt Baker says 'it takes my breath away' as he explores amazing hidden tunnel in Wales
Matt Baker says 'it takes my breath away' as he explores amazing hidden tunnel in Wales Matt, filming for a new series of Channel 4's Matt Baker British Isles, is not the first TV celebrity to visit and be enchanted by this secret treasure Channel 4's Matt Baker visits one of Wales' hidden gems (Image: Channel 4 ) When you wander through the south Wales valleys you might never know that, occasionally, you are walking on top of a hidden treasure that links to the past but could be a beacon of prosperity for the future. Rhondda Tunnel is one such gem - a relic of the area's past industrial heritage but a unique feature that has been mesmerising those lucky enough to be allowed down it with permission and assistance from the Rhondda Tunnel Society. They are a group of local people set up in 2014 with the dream of one day getting the tunnel open again for bikes and pedestrians, and spearheading tourism regeneration in the area. One such person who has recently explored the tunnel - and was, of course, enchanted by it - was Channel 4's Matt Baker, who visited as part of episode one of a new series of Matt Baker's British Isles, where the popular presenter visits some of the country's most unique and loved locations - and Rhondda tunnel certainly ticks those boxes. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here READ MORE: Homes Under The Hammer's Martin Roberts says 'something real is going to happen' as he shares Welsh project update YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: You can stay in the idyllic house that features in Matt Baker's Our Dream Farm Article continues below Matt Baker meets Rhondda Tunnel Society founder member Steve Mackey (Image: Channel 4 ) Before meeting the passionate members of the Rhondda Tunnel Society, Matt said: "I've been drawn to this part of the Welsh valleys to see something that's been hidden from the rest of Britain for decades - it's a two mile secret that could make this part of Wales, and the country, world famous." The tunnel was originally built by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway under the engineering expertise of Sydney William Yockney, son of Samuel Hansard Yockney, who had previously worked with Isambard Kingdom Brunel on other tunnel projects. Matt is ready for the descent into the tunnel (Image: Channel 4 ) Work on the two-mile long tunnel commenced from both ends in 1885, at Blaencwm in the Rhondda and Blaengwyfni in the Afan Valley. The tunnel first opened its doors in 1890, serving as a route for coal trains heading to Swansea Bay until it was closed in 1968, with entrances at both ends now buried. But the society, founded in 2014, has been working tirelessly to gain awareness and funding for the project to re-open the tunnel If converted into a cycle and pedestrian tunnel, it would be the longest in Europe, second only globally to the Snoqualmie Tunnel near Seattle in the USA, which spans 2.5 miles. An old photo of when the tunnel was being bricked up and the stone where Steve wrote his message when he was a boy (Image: Channel 4 ) But it could have been buried and hidden for even longer if founder member of the society, Steve Mackey, hadn't stumbled across the entrance, literally, and it was almost as though it was meant to be. Steve told Matt he remembered the tunnel being closed up when he was a child and being mischievous but intrigued he visited it and graffitied on the stone his name and the words, 'please open me'. Both entrances were landscaped over and buried deep below ground and the tunnel faded from Steve's memory until the day he lost his job a decade ago. He was upset and so went for a 'long, long walk' and stumbled upon a huge bramble bush - he could see something under it and after clearing the foliage away discovered it was the stone with his words on it - the tunnel had 'spookily' reconnected with him. Matt is winched down an air shaft (Image: Channel 4 ) Matt discovered that a hard core of society members, from all walks of life and ages, now spent their time underground working towards giving the tunnel a new lease of life. Society member Brian got Matt ready for the descent into the tunnel that included a boiler suit, hard hat and harness to lower him down the air shaft - currently the only way to gain access. Matt said: "What a brilliant group of people, honestly they're so passionate about their cause - it's bonkers but it's brilliant!" Matt is amazed at the brickwork and condition of the tunnel (Image: Channel 4 ) As soon as Matt descended into this unique slice of Welsh heritage he was in awe. He commented: "It takes your breath away - you just can't quite believe it, that it's going on for two miles. It feels incredibly special to be experiencing this, honestly I just can't get over it, I can't get over the workmanship, (you can see) the trawl marks. The brick work is absolutely beautiful, pristine." Whilst down the tunnel, Matt helped the team lay a new communication cable as well as being only the second person to ever ride a bike along a section of the structure, he also discovered that the 'band of believers' were down the tunnel every week working on it. Matt arrives in the tunnel (Image: Channel 4 ) He said: "I love the drive, I love the passion and I love that you're all in it for the same reason - you just want to show the world the potential of this two mile secret. But this lot have only just started and they've got a long journey ahead but they've got the passion, pride and determination to make it happen. That is something that I will never forget - I'll be back when it's open." But Matt is not the only TV celebrity to have been enchanted by the tunnel, and the potential of what could be achieved at the site. Society member Steve Jones takes Matt on a tunnel tour (Image: Channel 4 ) Homes Under The Hammer's Martin Roberts became such an advocate for the work of the tunnel society after being invited to climb down and explore the structure that when the group asked him to become a patron he was thrilled - and since then has been working hard in conjunction with the society to raise awareness, support and funds to eventually realise the vision of the tunnel re-opening and rejuvenating the area. Find out more about that here. Matt is not the first TV celebrity to go down into the tunnel - Martin Roberts beat him to it and is now the society's patron (Image: Martin Roberts / Rhondda Tunnel Society ) Martin is no stranger to Wales, having filmed here multiple times for Homes Under The Hammer as well as owning a stunning farmhouse that is currently a holiday let and continuing to renovate the Hendrewen hotel and pub in Blaencwm, located at the top of the Rhondda Fawr valley. Article continues below But he has told WalesOnline that there will be more progress to announce on the tunnel's development and future very, very soon. For more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Defence tech start-up gets £7bn boost for robot factories network
A technology start-up that wants to help re-arm Britain with factories of automated robots has raised £7m from investors. London-based Isembard, named after the revered civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was founded last year by entrepreneur Alexander Fitzgerald. The company is developing high-tech factories that can quickly and cheaply manufacture precision components for critical industries such as defence and aerospace. Most of these are currently made by a legion of small businesses that feed into the processes of larger companies, such as engine maker Rolls-Royce or defence contractor BAE Systems. But Mr Fitzgerald, an Army reservist who previously founded challenger broadband provider Cuckoo, said the market is highly fragmented, with many of the firms not making use of the latest technologies or automation techniques. Many small manufacturers are also losing a growing number of machinists to retirement – creating skills gaps that must be filled. It comes as demand for precision components is surging as Britain and its European allies scramble to ramp up production of defence equipment including missiles, drones and ammunition in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Mr Fitzgerald said Isembard aims to tackle the problem by setting up a network of factories that operate modular machine tools linked together by the company's in-house computer software. This will allow the company to remotely design parts, produce them and potentially assemble them as well. The modular nature of the factories should also mean production lines can be quickly reconfigured or scaled up. Mr Fitzgerald said British manufacturing currently relied on 'a long tail of family-run machine shops' but warned: 'The existential threat we face is that the average age of the owners of these businesses is approaching retirement. 'So there is a huge risk that capacity starts to drop, just as demand from critical industries such as defence is really starting to ramp up. 'Rather than build a single large factory, we think the answer is to build a network of smaller factories.' According to MakeUK, the industry group, 60pc of the manufacturing workforce in Britain is aged 50 or above. There is also an acute shortage of workers known as computer numerical control machinists, who control the robots that machine or process parts, with nearly one fifth of vacancies taking up to a year to fill. Isembard is also hoping to tap into greater demand for the 'reshoring' of manufacturing domestically, following global supply chain chaos caused by the Covid pandemic and the US-China trade war. Investors who backed Isembard in its funding round include Notion Capital, 201 Ventures, Basis Capital, Forward Fund, Material Ventures, Neverlift Ventures and NP-Hard Ventures, as well as angel investors Andreas Klinger and Joshua Western, the founder of Space Forge. The money will be used to fully develop the company's first factory in London and potentially other sites. Isembard says it is already doing work for defence clients that it cannot disclose.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Defence tech start-up gets £7bn boost for robot factories network
A technology start-up that wants to help re-arm Britain with factories of automated robots has raised £7m from investors. London-based Isembard, named after the revered civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was founded last year by entrepreneur Alexander Fitzgerald. The company is developing high-tech factories that can quickly and cheaply manufacture precision components for critical industries such as defence and aerospace. Most of these are currently made by a legion of small businesses that feed into the processes of larger companies, such as engine maker Rolls-Royce or defence contractor BAE Systems. But Mr Fitzgerald, an Army reservist who previously founded challenger broadband provider Cuckoo, said the market is highly fragmented, with many of the firms not making use of the latest technologies or automation techniques. Many small manufacturers are also losing a growing number of machinists to retirement – creating skills gaps that must be filled. It comes as demand for precision components is surging as Britain and its European allies scramble to ramp up production of defence equipment including missiles, drones and ammunition in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Mr Fitzgerald said Isembard aims to tackle the problem by setting up a network of factories that operate modular machine tools linked together by the company's in-house computer software. This will allow the company to remotely design parts, produce them and potentially assemble them as well. The modular nature of the factories should also mean production lines can be quickly reconfigured or scaled up. Mr Fitzgerald said British manufacturing currently relied on 'a long tail of family-run machine shops' but warned: 'The existential threat we face is that the average age of the owners of these businesses is approaching retirement. 'So there is a huge risk that capacity starts to drop, just as demand from critical industries such as defence is really starting to ramp up. 'Rather than build a single large factory, we think the answer is to build a network of smaller factories.' According to MakeUK, the industry group, 60pc of the manufacturing workforce in Britain is aged 50 or above. There is also an acute shortage of workers known as computer numerical control machinists, who control the robots that machine or process parts, with nearly one fifth of vacancies taking up to a year to fill. Isembard is also hoping to tap into greater demand for the 'reshoring' of manufacturing domestically, following global supply chain chaos caused by the Covid pandemic and the US-China trade war. Investors who backed Isembard in its funding round include Notion Capital, 201 Ventures, Basis Capital, Forward Fund, Material Ventures, Neverlift Ventures and NP-Hard Ventures, as well as angel investors Andreas Klinger and Joshua Western, the founder of Space Forge. The money will be used to fully develop the company's first factory in London and potentially other sites. Isembard says it is already doing work for defence clients that it cannot disclose. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
