Iron Giant wildlife

Wildlife at Bennerley Viaduct

History is not the only thing that thrives here.

Beneath the Iron Giant, the Erewash Valley has quietly become a haven for wildlife. What was once an industrial landscape is now alive with birdsong, butterflies and wildflowers. Slow down, look closely, and you might be surprised by what you see.

A landscape reclaimed by nature

When the railway fell silent, nature began to move back in. Today the marshes, grassland and scrub beneath the viaduct support a rich mix of plants and animals.

This special environment is carefully managed by our staff and volunteers. They control invasive plants, care for fragile habitats and practise traditional skills such as hedge-laying to support nesting birds and overwintering insects. Their work helps protect both the wildlife and the historic structure above.

Birds of the marshes

Bring your binoculars.

The viaduct offers a wonderful vantage point across the marshland, where wading birds gather and feed. Lapwing nest nearby, and at certain times of year you may spot Golden Plover or even Black-tailed Godwit passing through.

Walk beneath the iron structure and listen. Jackdaws chatter from the ironwork, while Green Woodpeckers call from the trees in grassland. If you are lucky, you might see a Barn Owl gliding low over the marsh at dusk.

Reptiles and amphibians

Look carefully near the water’s edge.

Bennerley is home to Great Crested Newts, the UK’s largest and most protected newt species. Smooth Newts, frogs and toads also breed here, and where there are amphibians, Grass Snakes are never far away.

Patience is rewarded. A quiet pause may reveal movement among the reeds or a basking reptile on a sunny bank.

Butterflies in the sunshine

On warm days, the grassland comes alive with colour.

Gatekeepers, Orange Tips and Peacock butterflies flutter among the wildflowers. Keen-eyed visitors may even spot the small but striking Dingy Skipper. The site’s mix of open ground and sheltered corners makes it ideal butterfly habitat.

Wildflowers beneath the Iron Giant

In spring and early summer, the ground beneath the viaduct is dotted with native blooms. Bee Orchids can be found here, alongside Snake’s Head Fritillary, Bluebells and Daffodils.

These flowers have made a home in the reclaimed landscape, helped along by careful conservation work and a little encouragement from volunteers.

Help us care for this special place