Britain's Greatest Bridges

Rob Bell narrates the story of how the Clifton Suspension Bridge was constructed, spanning the Avon gorge at Bristol. The programme details the bridge’s building process, describing the work involved in erecting the structure across the gorge, over the river Avon.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge is presented as a standalone programme, classified as an episode in its genre. Its title mirrors the iconic structure it examines, signalling to viewers that the focus will be entirely on this historic crossing. The format is concise, fitting the typical length of a single‑episode documentary. In this episode, presenter Rob Bell takes the audience through the narrative of how the Clifton Suspension Bridge came into being. He outlines the process by which the bridge was constructed, detailing the engineering feats required to span the Avon gorge. Bell’s account centres on the steps taken to bring the structure to life, offering a clear picture of its development. The programme situates the bridge within its natural setting, emphasizing the Avon gorge as the geographical challenge that had to be overcome. By highlighting the location in Bristol, the episode underscores the bridge’s significance to the city and its surrounding landscape. The story is delivered through Bell’s narration, which keeps the focus firmly on the bridge’s construction history. Overall, the episode provides a straightforward retelling of the bridge’s building process, anchored by Rob Bell’s explanation. It remains tightly scoped to the factual recounting of the engineering work that linked the two sides of the Avon gorge, delivering a concise yet complete overview of this landmark’s creation.