An Icon of Engineering
Bennerley Viaduct is an iconic landmark in the East Midlands. Standing 20 metres high above the valley of the River Erewash, and a quarter of a mile long, it is no surprise it is known as The Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley. Grade II* listed, this rare engineering triumph was was built in 1877-78 by the Great Northern Railway to carry the Friargate Line from Nottingham to Derby. Born from the age of steam, iron and coal, it is the longest Victorian wrought iron viaduct in the country and one of only two still standing. Connecting Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, it was described by the World Monuments Fund as “an extraordinary monument” and by Historic England as “a stunning example of the genius of British Engineering.”
A Story of Survival
Bennerley Viaduct is also the ultimate survivor: closed to trains in the 1960s, once derelict, it has found a new lease of life in the care of the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct. In 2022 it was re-opened to walkers, cyclists and heritage explorers. In 2026 another accessible ramp was opened. New visitor facilities are planned for later in the year, including visitor centre and car park.
Beneath the viaduct we are creating a haven for wildlife, a place for people to spend time in nature.
To find out more about our news, events, and activities see our Latest News page or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Where to Find Us
Nottinghamshire Access Ramp Now Open!
We can now announce that Bennerley Viaduct has reopened!
Our new Eastern ramp has officially opened to the public, marking a key milestone in the development of the Bennerley Viaduct site funded by Kimberley Means Business. The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct acknowledge the financial support Broxtowe Borough Council has delivered over the past two years.
We would like to thank our community for your patience, support and generosity during the partial closure period. We are truly moved with how meaningful Bennerley Viaduct’s paths and nature reserve is valued to locals.
If you are visiting the site you may notice further temporary works. In the coming months, we will welcome the community to a new state-of-the-art visitor centre, including a café and educational exhibition space.
We look forward to seeing you on the new ramp, if you see a Friend, say hello!
Read more at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/viaductrampopen
The viaduct is between Cotmanhay and Awsworth, at Ordnance Survey grid reference SK 473 438. Find out more on our Visiting the Viaduct page.
Please note, the viaduct is a former railway bridge built nearly 150 years ago. The new deck is 60 feet above the ground and is accessed by a sloping path at one end and steps at the other. There are exposed iron troughs on the deck which should be avoided as they are very slippery when wet. If you are bringing children to the viaduct, please supervise them, and keep dogs on leads as you cross the structure.
Public access to the Bennerley Viaduct for leisure purposes is by permission of the owners, Railway Paths Ltd. The registered charity, The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct, holds the lease for managing and caring for the site as a visitor attraction. People using the viaduct do so entirely at their own risk. No liability can be accepted in these circumstances.
Visitor Centre Update
Our highly-anticipated hub is progressing well. Take a look at the image below for a sneak peak close up. (More images available on our social media pages)
We know how patient the community has been waiting, Broxtowe Borough Council and Friends of Bennerley Viaduct can promise it will be worth the wait!
As we have been saying for a while now, there will be a public announcement across all of our platforms for when an opening date is confirmed.
Crowdfunder – New footbridge next to Bennerley Viaduct!
Click the link here to donate: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/new-footbridge-next-to-bennerley-viaduct-second-pledge
Our goal is to preserve the Viaduct and its immediate surrounding area for future generations. We are looking to secure funding to create a new crossing over the River Erewash and to pay for materials that will help to secure the river bank that the bridge will cross.
Check out the highlight reel of the latest cycling fundraiser!
All funds raised on the Iron to Iron (West) trek will go towards the River Erewash footbridge!
Events Programme
Click here to book onto one of our events down at Bennerley Viaduct! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bennerley-viaduct-50471020253 For more information regarding events, please see our social media pages.
Footbridge Closure
Harworth Group, who own the land to the North of the viaduct, have, on safety grounds, condemned and closed the concrete bridge over the River Erewash. We know many of you use the bridge to access the paths under the viaduct, please respect their decision and don’t put yourself at risk by trying to climb over the barriers. We are, as a matter of urgency, looking at alternative ways to access the underneath of our Iron Giant.
Virtual, 3D Tour
Why not take our virtual, 3D tour (opens in a separate browser tab) of Bennerley Viaduct and the surrounding area? This preview video give you an impression of what the tour is like, but the real tour covers many more locations in high definition and is fully interactive – you control where you go and what you look at and read about!
This tour was funded thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thank you to them, and the players, who made this work possible.
Our Financial Backers
