IN PRAISE OF VIADUCTS
All South Bank walks involve public transport. We are indebted to our engineering forbears who, over the last two centuries, built the great railway infrastructure that allows us to get to and from the start and end points of our walks.
Some of the most dramatic features of the railway infrastructure are the amazing railway viaducts. They often go unnoticed as we travel over them by train, but when we do get off the train and start walking then we can get to see them.
There are many of them in the South East, but here are just a few that many of us will have encountered on our South Bank walks.
Wharncliffe Viaduct - Hanwell, West London
The Wharncliffe Viaduct carries the GWR Line across the Brent Valley, between Hanwell and Southall. It is 66 ft high and 890 feet long with 8 arches.
It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1837.
Queen Victoria would have the driver stop the train on the viaduct so that she could admire the views along the Brent Valley.
In 1877 the viaduct was widened with an extra row of piers and arches , clearly visible in this photo. This allowed it to carry four tracks.
The viaduct is just a five minute walk from Hanwell station on the Elizabeth Line, but a good way to see it is by doing Section 8 of the capital ring (Osterley Lock to Greenford) which passes underneat it Capital Ring Osterley lock to Greenford
Ouse Valley Viaduct - Balcombe - Sussex
The Ouse Valley Viaduct (or the Balcombe Viaduct) carries the Brighton Main Line over the River Ouse in Sussex near the town of Balcombe.
The viaduct is about 1,450 feet long and 100 feet tall with 37 arches. It opened on 12 July 1841.
This viaduct is a great favourite for South Bank Ramblers doing circular walks from Balcombe station. The arches are hollow so when you stand underneath it you can see right along its length.
Saturday Walkers Club website has several walk options which include the viaduct, some longer options also include the gardens at Wakehurst Place which is well worth a visit. SWC - Balcombe Circular via Ardingly Reservoir
Chappell Viaduct - Chappell/Wakes Colne - Essex
The Chappel Viaduct carries the Gainsborough railway line, linking Marks Tey to Sudbury, across the River Colne in Essex.
The viaduct is about 1,100 feet long, 75 feet high with 32 arches and was completed in 1849.
Although it is quite a distance from London, it is well worth a visit, particularly as the station at Chappel Wakes Colne features a heritage railway museum which will be of interest to any railway buffs.
Saturday Walkers Club website has a walk from Wakes Colne to Bures walk which includes the viaduct at the beginning of the walk. SWC-Wakes Colne to Bures
Digswell Viaduct - Wewyn North - Hertfordshire
The Digswell Viaduct crosses the Mimram valley near North Welwyn in Hertfordshire.
It is about 1,500 feet long and 100 feet high with 40 arches. Sir William Cubitt and his son Joseph designed the viaduct and was opened in 1850.
The viaduct is just two minutes from Welwyn North station and there are plenty of footpaths and walking routes in the area if you wish to explore further.
Eynsford Viaduct - Eynsford - Darent Valley - Kent
The Eynsford Viaduct in Kent is about 400 feet long, 75 feet high and has 9 arches and carries trains across the River Darent near Eynsford and was opened in 1859.
The South Bank programme regularly features walks around Eynsford and the Darent Valley.
The Saturday Walker Club website has the Eynsford Circular walk with good views of the viaduct SWC-Eynsford via Otford
Dollis Brook Viaduct - Finchley - North London
The Dollis Brook Viaduct carries the Northern line from Mill Hill East to Finchley Central in North London. It is about 60 feet high, over 400 feet long with 13 arches and opened in 1867 to carry GNR's single-track line from Finsbury Park to Edgware. The section between Mill Hill and Edgware finally closed in 1964.
It can be reached easily by road from either Mill Hill East or Finchley Central stations on the Northern Line.
The 12 mile Dollis Valley Green Walk passes beneath this viaduct - Dollis Valley Greenwalk | Barnet Council
Arnos Park Viaduct - Arnos Grove - North London
A more recently built viaduct is the Arnos Park Viaduct which was built as part of the extension of the Piccadilly line from Finsbury Park to Cockfosters. It has 34 arches and carries the line over the Pymmes Brook at Arnos Park near Arnos Grove station and it was opened in 1933.
The Pymmes Brook Trail is a 13 mile walk between Hadley Vale and Tottenham Hale and passes through Arnos Park under the viaduct. Pymmes Brook Trail Walk
Colne Valley Viaduct - Denham - Buckinghamshire
The Colne Valley Viaduct is over 2 miles long, height over 30 feet and has 57 spans. When completed in 2036-2039 this will be Britains longest railway bridge. It will carry HS2 over the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal. Its design was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across water.
This is one of the immense piers under construction in January 2024
To view it, the nearest station is Denham, but you can get the best view by walking section 12 of the London Loop from Uxbridge to Harefield West which passes beneath it. London Loop -Uxbridge to Harefield
When HS2 eventually starts operating, maybe we could start including day hikes around Birmingham city centre in our South Bank programme?
Photos were taken by various members including - Ruth, Sue and Dave
Dave Hetherington - November 2026