The idea of a bridge spanning Avon Gorge was first discussed in the mid-18th century – but until Isambard Kingdom Brunel rose to prominence, there was never any serious chance of the project getting off the ground.
Brunel's ideas transformed the thinking of what could be achieved, though his original design was never completed. Standing on the shoulders of that giant – and also building on the contributions of Sarah Guppy – it was William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw who finalised the plans and oversaw the final Clifton Suspension Bridge, a world-famous landmark that opened in 1864.
Just eight years later, the property on this page was built: grade II-listed Jacobean-style Burwalls House, up for sale for £1.5m.
The house was once home to the tobacco-importing Wills family, who were among the pioneers of cigarette cards. Burwalls was then requisitioned by the War Office in 1939 as the headquarters for the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.
Three years after the war it was acquired by the University of Bristol in 1948. Property developers Kersfield acquired the freehold in 2014 and subsequently obtained planning consent to convert the main house into five large apartments and redevelop the old stables and lodge as six houses together with a studio.
Five of the seven Ground-floor, south-facing Apartment 2, is on the market via both Knight Frank and Savills.
The 2,000sq ft flat has two bedrooms, a spacious open-plan kitchen/living room with a restored frieze adorning the walls and generous ceiling height along with a basement cellar.
The apartment also enjoys private-estate gardens of approximately 10,000 sq ft and bordering National Trust land.
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The century-old enamelling technique used to create Van Cleef's lucky ladybird brooch — which has something in common with Country LifeThe technique used in the jeweller's Geneva workshop has been put to good use in its latest creation.
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‘The best sleep in the sky’: What it’s like to fly in United’s Polaris cabin, approved by American icon Martha StewartUnited’s Business Class cabin goes by the name Polaris and Martha Stewart is a fan. So, how does it fare?
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18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
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If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
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The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
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An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
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A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
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An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
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A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
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Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of SomersetAshton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
