Winston Bridge is one of Teesdale’s most impressive historic crossings, carrying traffic over the River Tees for more than 250 years. Built in the 18th century as part of an important coal route, the bridge is admired today for its elegant single stone arch and its quiet setting on the edge of the dale.

But in the summer of 1988, this peaceful spot briefly became the stage for one of the most daring moments in British television history, when a Spitfire flew beneath the arch during filming for an ITV drama.

This page tells the true story of Winston Bridge, why it was built, and how it earned its nickname as Teesdale’s “Spitfire Bridge”.

A bridge built to last

Winston Bridge was constructed between 1762 and 1763 to carry traffic over the River Tees along what is now the B6274, linking Staindrop with Richmond. At the time, the route played an important role in the movement of coal and goods across the region.

The bridge was designed by Sir Thomas Robinson, the same architect responsible for nearby Rokeby Hall. Built from squared sandstone with ashlar detailing, its most striking feature is a single round arch spanning just over 110 feet across the river. When completed, this was an extraordinary achievement of engineering and for a time it was regarded as the longest single-span stone arch bridge of its kind in Europe.

Today, the bridge is a Grade II* listed structure, recognised for both its architectural quality and its historic importance. Subtle changes over the years, including strengthening work and iron tie rods, have helped ensure it remains in use while preserving its original character.

A quiet Teesdale crossing becomes wartime France

In July 1988, Winston Bridge was chosen as a filming location for the ITV television series Piece of Cake, a drama about Royal Air Force pilots in the early years of the Second World War.

For the story, the bridge was transformed into a crossing near Thionville in northern France in 1939. Film crews arrived in Teesdale, fields were turned into production bases, and cameras were positioned on the road, along the riverbank, in nearby fields, and even in a helicopter overhead.

Dozens of bridges across Britain and Europe were surveyed by the production team. Winston was chosen because of its exceptional single span, which offered far more space than most road-carrying bridges and allowed enough clearance for an aircraft to pass safely beneath.

The Spitfire flight

The aircraft chosen for the stunt was a Supermarine Spitfire, flown by display pilot and former RAF squadron leader Ray Hanna.

Hanna was no ordinary pilot. A founding member of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team, he was known throughout the aviation world for his precision flying and calm approach to complex manoeuvres. Even so, flying a Spitfire under a stone bridge was not something attempted lightly.

Local newspaper reports at the time described how police closed the road and kept spectators back while the flight took place. Trees overhanging the river were carefully cut back with permission from Northumbrian Water to give the aircraft a longer, clearer run through the arch.

The clearance was tight. With a span of around 112 feet and the Spitfire’s wings stretching wide on either side, there was little margin for error. Despite this, the aircraft passed beneath the bridge cleanly, with several yards to spare beyond each wingtip.

After the main filming run, local residents were treated to an even more memorable sight as the Spitfire repeatedly flew low over the bridge in both directions, giving those nearby a far closer view than the cameras ever captured.

“Not done every day of the week”

Following the stunt, Ray Hanna downplayed the difficulty in characteristic fashion, remarking that while it was unusual, “it is not done every day of the week”.

Later passes beneath and around the bridge were flown by his son, Mark Hanna, himself an accomplished pilot, as the production captured additional footage for the series. The scene would later appear as part of a fictional wager between RAF pilots, adding drama to a moment that was already remarkable in real life.

The Spitfire Sculpture on Winston Bridge

A small Spitfire sculpture sits on the parapet of Winston Bridge, quietly marking the real event in 1988 when a Spitfire flew beneath the historic stone arch during filming for an ITV drama.

A moment remembered locally

For residents of Winston and the surrounding area, the day left a lasting impression. A quiet riverside setting, normally defined by flowing water and passing traffic, had briefly echoed to the sound of a Merlin engine as a Second World War fighter skimmed the river beneath a Georgian stone arch.

More than three decades later, the story is still talked about locally, and Winston Bridge is often referred to as the “Spitfire Bridge” by those who know its history.

Winston Bridge today

Today, Winston Bridge remains a working road bridge and an important historic landmark on the Tees. Walkers pause on the parapet to watch the river below, and drivers cross it often without realising the remarkable events that once unfolded here.

Standing beneath the arch, it is hard to imagine a Spitfire passing through the space above the water. Yet for a brief moment in 1988, this quiet corner of Teesdale became part of aviation and television history.

About this guide

This page forms part of Discover Teesdale’s History and Heritage collection, documenting real places, real events, and the stories that have shaped the landscape. All details on the Spitfire flight are drawn from contemporary local newspaper reporting and verified historical records.