Enjoy some of our beautiful viaducts this summer

Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve our health and stay connected to our community, helping us feel less lonely and isolated.

We’re highlighting some of our most gorgeous viaducts that can be enjoyed this summer, which also happen to be near some wonderful walking routes in England and Wales.

In the south of England, Cannington Viaduct remains an impressive feature from the former single track branch line, Axminster & Lyme Regis Light Railway. At the time the viaduct was one of a few such structures made entirely from concrete rather than brick.

The Grade II listed viaduct is 200 yards long, comprises ten elliptical arches – standing at an impressive 92 feet at its highest point. During construction the west end settled, so bricks were added to the third arch to stabilise it, giving the viaduct a unique appearance.

The branch line opened to traffic in the summer of 1903, carrying people from London to the sea – closing in 1965.

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is just three miles away from this hidden gem, free to be enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and dogs alike.

Berw Viaduct, which is nestled in the valleys of Pontypridd spanning the river Taff, was engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Considered to be ‘one of the greatest figures of the Industrial Revolution’ he developed ground-breaking designs and ingenious constructions.

Opened in 1885 as an extension to the Taff Vale Railway to serve Abion Colliery, Cilfynydd the bridge was used for the coal mining industries, which were expanding at the time in Wales. The viaduct was listed in 1995 and is a rare example of a structure of its kind in South Wales.

It also happens to be just under half a mile away from the Taff Trail. The 55-mile route between Cardiff and Brecon runs along a mixture of riverside paths, railway paths and forest roads. Cycle route number 8 from Sustrans cycling network takes around five hours to cycle or 18 hours to walk.

River Eden Viaduct, also known as Waverley Viaduct in Cumbria was once part of the former Carlisle to Edinburgh line. Made from red sandstone blocks from the local area the double track deck spans the River Eden, on a slight curve.

The viaduct can be viewed to anyone walking along the river Eden and is close to the Hadrian's Wall path. The 84 mile (135 Km) National Trail stretches coast to coast across northern England, from Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway on the west. Waverley viaduct was closed in 1966 after the Beeching Report.

Other structures you can enjoy this summer include Teviot viaduct (also known as Roxburgh viaduct) in Scotland, Tidenham tunnel in Wye Valley, Bennerley viaduct in Derbyshire, Burnden and Darcy Lever viaduct in Manchester and finally Pensford viaduct in Bristol.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your shoes on, connect with people, nature and enjoy some truly unique architecture from our Estate this Summer.