Merrygill Viaduct, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
N 54° 28.177 W 002° 20.174
30U E 543017 N 6035975
Merrygill Viaduct is in the care of the Northern Viaduct Trust, who allow unrestricted access to the line for walkers and cyclists. The old line is a popular walkway between Hartley and Stenkrith.
Waymark Code: WMDJRX
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/22/2012
Views: 1
The Northern Viaduct Trust initially were looking after the Smardale Gill viaduct further west along the old line. When Hartley residents realised the quarry were about to sell the line, swiftly an action group was convened and NVT approached to take this section of line under their care. Conditions were met, money raised and Merrygill and Podgill viaducts were opened for public use.
Merrygill viaduct is the eastern end of this section which extends as far as Stenkrith bridge.
There are walk leaflets from TIC and interpretation boards in the plate layers huts.
The line used to connect the Durham coke with the Cumberland iron ore.
Merrygill Viaduct is at
N54 28.212 W 02 20.053. To get a good view avoiding the trees, it is probably best to walk up the road past Wearcot house towards the farm of Hartley Castle.
Streetmap (
visit link)
Parking is available in Hartley near
54°28.278'N, 2°20.166'W, at the corner. Cross Hartley Beck to walk upstream towards the
viewing point (above coords), where there is a gate.
Grade 2 listing (
visit link)