Yorkshire is one of the best places to travel by rail; and historically there were many railways criss-crossing the glorious country connecting North, South, East and West Yorkshire with the rest of the UK. One of the great landmarks of this mode of transport left behind in Yorkshire are the mighty viaducts crossing all manner of gaps, large and larger.
Below is a list of many of them.
- Ribblehead Viaduct (North Yorkshire): Renowned for its 24 arches and part of the Settle-Carlisle Railway, a striking backdrop in the Yorkshire Dales.
- Knaresborough Viaduct (North Yorkshire): Featuring four large arches over the River Nidd, it’s a defining element in Knaresborough’s picturesque view.
- Arthington Viaduct (West Yorkshire): Elegantly arching over the River Wharfe near Leeds, providing scenic views on the Harrogate Line. Also known as Crimple Viaduct, this impressive structure has 31 arches and spans the Crimple Valley, still used by trains on the Harrogate Line.
- Larpool Viaduct (North Yorkshire): A 13-arch viaduct crossing the River Esk near Whitby, repurposed as a walking and cycling route.
- Conisbrough Viaduct (South Yorkshire): A 21-arch viaduct that previously facilitated coal transport, now standing disused over the Don Valley near Doncaster.
- Lockwood Viaduct (West Yorkshire): Overlooking Holmfirth, no longer in use, but standing as a magnificent testament to Victorian engineering.
- Wharfe Viaduct (Tadcaster Viaduct) (North Yorkshire): A series of elegant arches spanning the River Wharfe in Tadcaster, now disused but still a notable landmark.
- Appersett Viaduct (North Yorkshire): An eight-arch viaduct near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, now disused but historically part of the Midland Railway’s branch.
- Dent Head Viaduct (North Yorkshire): A nine-arch viaduct crossing Artengill Beck, still in operation as part of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
- Stamford Bridge Viaduct (East Yorkshire): Featuring a 90-foot cast-iron span over the River Derwent, and 15 brick arches, it played a pivotal role in the 19th-century York to Market Weighton Line.
- Saddleworth Viaduct (Historically Yorkshire): Present in Uppermill, Saddleworth, still functional and part of the Greenfield Line.
- Mytholmes Viaduct (West Yorkshire): Providing picturesque views in the Worth Valley and operational as part of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
- Stanbury Viaduct (West Yorkshire): Also in the Worth Valley, part of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, offering expansive views.
- Hewenden Viaduct (West Yorkshire): Popular among walkers and cyclists, this masonry arch viaduct is part of the Great Northern Railway Trail. Hewenden Viaduct is quite notable due to its impressive masonry arch construction and is often visited by walkers and cyclists who use the trail.
Got More? Name them in the comments, below, and we’ll add them to the list. Extra points if you can link to a picture of the viaduct in question, or drop a map pin!
Hi, thanks for making this list.
I think it would be better if there were photos of each one though. I’ve been having to google them and looking through Google earth. I’m trying to identify one after seeing a photo on Instagram.
I can’t even find some of them.. like Lothersdale, Balne or Cononley viaducts?
I’m pretty sure Lockwood viaduct IS still in use (certainly was two years ago) and you’ve got Arthington down twice (No 3 and No 11)
Thank you
Steve