Anglesey

Probably Thomas Telford’s finest hour was in 1826 when his idea of stabilising a bridge using metal chains was proven to work. It was the only project that gave him sleepless nights, but he produced a masterpiece, connecting Anglesey to the North Wales mainland. The Wales Coast Path (walescoastpath.gov.uk) goes underneath the bridge, and offers fantastic views from a range of angles, including from Church Island, to the west, from where you can also see the mightily impressive Britannia Bridge, opened in 1850.

He never forgot his childhood friends in the Scottish Borders, whom he’d often help with rent when times were hard; he’d always type letters to his ageing mother, rather than write, so her failing eyes could read them; and he’d offer his engineering services for free if he thought a job was important enough.

So although it’s curious the man dubbed ‘The Colossus of Roads’ should be hailed a walker’s hero, just spare a thought for the founding father of civil engineering next time you’re driving back from Fort William having walked the Great Glen Way, or you’re heading effortlessly to Anglesey to climb Holyhead Mountain, or you’re wandering near Llangollen and see a narrowboat gliding through the sky.

Oh, and if you’re trying to cross a stream in Mid Wales over a rickety plank of wood that collapses beneath your feet, chances are it wasn’t Thomas Telford who built it.