Chelfham Viaduct Open Day

Published: 28th May, 2025

Nigel Thompson reports on the recent viaduct open weekend at Chelfham station

On Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May, National Highways Historical Railways Estate opened Chelfham Viaduct to the public for the first time for many years. This was part of events to help celebrate Rail 200 and promote their work which continues to look after and maintain a number of old railway structures around the UK, such as Chelfham Viaduct.

Volunteers of the L&B Railway Trust and CIC, together with Exmoor Associates, the Yeo Valley Trust, and the Growforward Project (the owners of the former Chelfham Mill/school site), all helped to make the event such a success, with approximately 2000 reported visitors over the 2 days.

On the Saturday Barnstaple mayor Janet Coates opened Growforward's first refurbished building, now known as the Chelfham Valley Heritage Hub, which for the weekend contained a new range of display boards all about the L&B Railway, as well as the late Tony Peart's superb Chelfham model, abely demonstrated by Chris Lane. Many visitors sampled the cafe, pop up bar, live music, and enjoyed the sunshine in the new garden area.

Up at the Viaduct gates, Helene Rossiter from National Highways HRE, and Keith Vingoe, L&B CIC Director for Chelfham, gave short talks about their work and the history of the viaduct, before the ribbon was cut and the assembled crowd were able to walk across the viaduct.

Many continued their walk south along the trackbed over Goodleigh Road Bridge and into Budd's Wood courtesy of Exmoor Associates and YVT, whose volunteers had recently been clearing the route, which had been blocked by leaning trees and dumped rubbish.

All parking was below the viaduct at Growforward, using their car park and meadow. L&B stewards marshalled the visitors vehicles safely in and out as required.

Back at Chelfham Station, visitors also walked the trackbed north towards Bratton bridge. Most sampled the refreshments on offer for donations and many books, L&B souvenirs, model railway odds were sold. It was just so busy at times and after Saturday we needed an extra shopping trip to both Tesco (for more refreshment stock) and to Woody Bay Station (for more sales items).

We were pleased to chat to many visitors about how we have restored the station over the years, and all the future plans for the L&B Railway. Many of these visitors were locals and were discovering the railway for the first time. It was very gratifying to receive large amounts of praise from everyone visiting who enjoyed their Chelfham weekend. It was as advertised a 'Once in a Lifetime' opportunity to walk over Chelfham Viaduct and after the hoards of people last weekend, the viaduct has returned to its sleepeth, with the gates locked for no public access.