A novel view from the viaduct in Yorkshire's Brontë country

In this beautiful corner of Brontë country, the spectacular Heweden Viaduct near Cullingworth has dominated the local landscape for more than 130 years.
PIC: Simon HulmePIC: Simon Hulme
PIC: Simon Hulme

The viaduct, which stands at 123ft tall and spans 576 yards across 17 arches was an extraordinary feat of engineering that took place around 1880. It opened to passenger trains in 1883 and was part of the Keighley and Thornton Branch of the Great Northern Railway.

The line connected small but important mill towns around Keighley, Bradford and Halifax and became known as the Alpine route thanks to the stunning scenery of the Pennine landscape it passed through.

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For generations, rail passengers passing across the viaduct were offered wonderful views over the surrounding countryside as they passed by.

The railway line closed in the 1960s but the viaduct, which was given Grade II-listed status in 1985, now forms part of the Great Northern Railway Trail for cyclists and walkers.

The trail passes over both Hewenden and Collingworth viaducts and offers visitors the perfect opportunity to explore Brontë country. The literary sisters were born in Thornton and lived in nearby Haworth, both close to the route.

There is something of an extensive connection between the Brontës and Yorkshire’s railway heritage - the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was famously built by civil engineer John McLandsborough after he visited Haworth to see the Charlotte Brontë but was surprised to find the village was not served by a railway line.

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Just six years later, he managed to get a line up and running between Keighley and Oxenhope.

Nature lovers as well as bookworms will appreciate a visit to Hewenden as many birds, butterflies and other species of wildlife make their homes along the trail.

It is possible to turn off the trail to the south of Hewenden viaduct and make your way relatively easily to the equally-spectacular waterfalls at Goit Stock wood

Technical details: Nikon D3s camera with 12-24mm lens, exposure of 1/500th sec @ f8 iso 400

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