A new visitor centre and café funded by the Kimberley Means Business Fund opened last weekend (Saturday 18 July), marking the final milestone in a ten-year project to bring a new lease of life to Bennerley Viaduct.
The building, with its Corten steel cladding, is inspired by railway carriages, giving the structure an industrial appearance that reflects the viaduct’s past. The steel is uncoated to minimise future maintenance. Inside is a welcoming café serving refreshments made with locally sourced ingredients, an education and exhibition space that will feature local artists and information about the history of the bridge, and toilets.
The visitor centre arrives shortly after completion of the eastern ramp, which opened up an accessible route across the viaduct and was also financed by the Kimberley Means Business Fund.
Bennerley Viaduct is regarded as a gem of Victorian railway engineering; it fell into disuse in the 1960s. It was given a new purpose by the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (FoBV), formed in 2015, who repaired, restored and opened up the structure to walkers and cyclists.
The bridge was built to carry trains across the Erewash Valley between Cotmanhay and Awsworth and as the longer of only two remaining wrought iron railway bridges in the UK, it remains virtually unaltered. The structure soars 18m (60 feet) above ground, extending 442m (a quarter of a mile) across the valley and is recognised as one of the most important industrial heritage sites in the UK.
Broxtowe Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Asset Management & Development, Milan Radulovic MBE, added,
“What the FoBV group have been able to achieve in saving, preserving, and improving this part of our local industrial heritage is nothing short of remarkable. Our Borough’s industrial past has shaped the lives of so many in Broxtowe and beyond and preserving it for generations to come is of paramount importance.
“I’m confident our investment will generate renewed excitement for frequent visitors to the ‘Iron Giant’ but also entice a new audience to come and experience the site, allowing the Friends charity to become self-sufficient.”
Chair of FoBV, James Dawson, emphasised that the success of the project was the result of partnerships and teamwork, backed up by the tenacity and hard work of volunteers.
“The deck and western ramp project was achieved in partnership with Railway Paths Ltd (RPL), the owners of the viaduct, and financial support from a dozen donors including the National Lottery Heritage Fund. For the eastern ramp and the visitor centre we have Broxtowe Borough Council to thank.
“But behind all this are the FoBV members and volunteers, who were responsible for generating public support ten years ago, and have since done so much valuable work caring for the viaduct and promoting it to local communities and general public.”
Paul Baker, FoBV Operations Director, said the new visitor centre will make all the difference.
“Interest in the viaduct has shot up since we made it accessible; the addition of toilets, a café and parking will boost visitor numbers and make it possible for people to plan longer visits.”
Access to the new ramp, visitor centre and car park is via Woodiwiss Road, off Shilo Way (A6069) opposite Bennerley View housing development. There is limited parking at the visitor centre, with additional parking available on the adjacent business park and at Newton’s Lane.
Posted on 21 July 2026
