Your donation can help us secure an exciting future for the Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley. We've already come so far - can you help us on the next stage of the journey?

2022 was a year to celebrate at Bennerley Viaduct, reopened for the first time in 50 years, with the newly installed decking allowing people to walk and cycle over the iconic Victorian structure for the first time. This was a team effort by a coalitions of funders and supporters, local and national. Together, we breathed new life into a relic of industry.

But the work of Friends of Bennerley Viaduct, the volunteer-led charity which holds the lease for the viaduct, is far from over.

We believe the Iron Giant can be an engine of change in our community, bringing funding and investment to an area which needs it.

We want to use this extraordinary heritage site to support a local community that is proud of the past and excited by the future. We will draw visitors from far and wide, bring investment and opportunity through a visitor centre and café, work with local schools to teach pride in our history, support groups and volunteers to join together and learn new skills.

Bennerley Viaduct is an amazing place. A symbol of Victorian innovation, the golden age of railway travel, and the industrial heritage of the Erewash Valley.

But it is also the ultimate survivor, recycled and repurposed for a new age. We are creating nature reserves, restoring a landscape damaged by industry. Our woodland paths are a lovely place to bring families or enjoy a quiet walk.

We work every day to ensure the viaduct stays open, so people can enjoy the beautiful views 20m above the Erewash Valley, or cycle along the 1/4 mile long deck.

To reach this destination, we need support.

We do not receive any regular public funding, and all major works are done with project grants, most recently from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

But this support comes and goes. We need gifts from people like you to support our daily work and help us preserve this amazing place for the next 150 years.

What do we want to do?

Support volunteers in developing skills, especially young people or those with additional needs.

Improve our nature reserve to create a wildlife corridor across the valley.

Help local schools teach children about their history: pride in their past and future.

Improve access by building new ramps and pathways so everyone can enjoy the viaduct.

Repair the steps, ramp and deck so the viaduct is always open

Your support will help us make these projects a reality.