Spanning the divide: Brunel and the Royal Albert Bridge

Tue Oct 28 2025 at 12:30 pm to 01:30 pm UTC+00:00

Derry's Cross, PL1 2SW Plymouth, United Kingdom | Plymouth

Plymouth Athenaeum
Publisher/HostPlymouth Athenaeum
Spanning the divide: Brunel and the Royal Albert Bridge
Advertisement
Join us as we discover more about the story of how Isambard Kingdom Brunel overcame in-fighting and controversy to the bring the railway to Plymouth and build the Royal Albert Bridge.
Find out more about how the heated rivalry between Plymouth and Devonport delayed the railway's arrival into the Three Towns, petitions to Parliament and Brunel's thwarted plans for a train ferry at Torpoint.
The talk looks at the cost-cutting measures that altered Brunel's plans for the Royal Albert Bridge, and the wild rumours that surrounded his failure to attend the opening ceremony in May 1859.
This event is part of Railway200, a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail.
The modern railway was a British innovation that’s continued its journey across the globe. Through a year-long series of activities and events, Railway 200 will explore how rail shaped Britain and the world.
The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on September 27, 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas and ultimately transforming the world.
The talk will be given by Owen Ryles, Chief Executive of the Plymouth Athenaeum. Owen is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the Linnean Society and the Zoological Society.
His previous talks include Education, enlightenment and entertainment: Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute 1825-1899, Walking through the storm: William Snow Harris v The Admiralty, Bitten by Barnacles: The Life of Charles Spence Bate and Charles Hamilton Smith: Writer, Illustrator, Solider, Spy.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Derry's Cross, PL1 2SW Plymouth, United Kingdom, Plymouth, United Kingdom

Tickets
Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Discover more events by tags:

Art in PlymouthLiterary-art in Plymouth

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Plymouth

October - 360 Immersive Dome Sound Bath with Reiki
Mon, 27 Oct at 06:00 pm October - 360 Immersive Dome Sound Bath with Reiki

Market Hall

Property & Business Network Plymouth at Steel Brew
Mon, 27 Oct at 06:30 pm Property & Business Network Plymouth at Steel Brew

Steel Brew

Ryver\u2019s Quiz night.
Mon, 27 Oct at 07:00 pm Ryver’s Quiz night.

Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre

McScience Beach Clean: Wave Goodbye to Waste!
Tue, 28 Oct at 10:00 am McScience Beach Clean: Wave Goodbye to Waste!

Mount Batten Beach

Mad Scientist Bath bomb make madness! - LUSH Plymouth
Tue, 28 Oct at 10:30 am Mad Scientist Bath bomb make madness! - LUSH Plymouth

LUSH Plymouth

Mutley - St Matthias Church.
Tue, 28 Oct at 11:00 am Mutley - St Matthias Church.

St Matthias Church, North Hill.

The Colour of Dinosaurs | CO-LAB Masterclass
Tue, 28 Oct at 04:00 pm The Colour of Dinosaurs | CO-LAB Masterclass

Royal Parade, PL1 2TR Plymouth, United Kingdom

Sip n Pimp your Pumpkin
Tue, 28 Oct at 06:00 pm Sip n Pimp your Pumpkin

Market St, Yealmpton, Plymouth

CityLets Student Free aquarium night
Tue, 28 Oct at 07:00 pm CityLets Student Free aquarium night

National Marine Aquarium

Pumpkin Decorating with Rapunzel!
Tue, 28 Oct at 08:00 pm Pumpkin Decorating with Rapunzel!

Pier one

CHEESY BOOSDAY
Tue, 28 Oct at 10:00 pm CHEESY BOOSDAY

Fever Clubrooms - Plymouth

Plymouth is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Plymouth Events