Devon’s historic Chelfham Viaduct is set to open to pedestrians for only the second time since its construction in 1896, offering rail enthusiasts and locals a unique opportunity to traverse this engineering marvel and celebrate 200 years of modern railways.
Managed by the Historical Railways Estate (HRE), part of National Highways, this rare event allows visitors to experience spectacular panoramic views from the 70-foot-high bridge deck spanning 400 feet. The viaduct once carried trains on the Lynton-Barnstaple Railway from 1896 until its closure in 1935.
Helene Rossiter, head of HRE, expressed her enthusiasm: “We’re excited to open this much-loved structure for locals and railway fans to enjoy, learn about its history, and appreciate its future role.” She emphasized HRE’s commitment to preserving over 3,100 historic railway structures across the country, including bridges, tunnels, and viaducts.
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Chelfham Viaduct has been meticulously maintained with recent brickwork repairs and vegetation clearance to ensure its longevity for generations to come. Rossiter highlighted the event’s rarity: “This is only the second time since the viaduct was built that it’s open to pedestrians, making it a truly special occasion.”
Designed by engineer F.W. Chanter, the viaduct was constructed using yellow brick and rock-faced piers, requiring more than a quarter of a million bricks at a cost of about £6,500. Nearby Chelfham Station has been restored to its 1920s appearance by the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Community Interest Company and will be open for visitors during the event.
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway group supports the event with talks on the railway’s history and volunteer guides to answer questions. Alongside HRE and the newly formed Chelfham Valley Heritage Hub, they will host a full weekend of activities from May 17–18 to mark the Railway 200 bicentenary.
The celebrations will feature exhibits covering the viaduct, the railway’s heritage, local conservation efforts, and the future vision of the Growforward Project—a community-driven initiative transforming Chelfham Mill into a hub for hospitality, heritage, and wellbeing.
Event hours will be from 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Parking for 60 vehicles is available at Growforward car park, just a short walk away, though car sharing is encouraged. Visitors can also reach the site via the 310 bus from Barnstaple Station, which runs hourly on Saturdays and once on Sunday morning.
Complementary tickets for this exclusive opening are available for reservation at nationalhighways.co.uk/chelfhamviaduct.
Address for visitors: Chelfham Viaduct, Barnstaple EX31 4RP, with pedestrian access through Chelfham Station.