Wicker Arches, Railway viaduct in Sheffield, England
Wicker Arches is a brick railway viaduct that spans across the Don Valley, consisting of 41 arches built to support rail traffic. The structure features a central passage accessible to pedestrians and continues to carry freight services today.
Engineer John Fowler designed this viaduct in 1848 as part of a railway line connecting Sheffield with Manchester and Lincolnshire. The construction was a key infrastructure project that supported the city's industrial growth.
The name comes from Wicker Street, which historically served as a gathering place for local residents. Today, walking beneath the arches allows visitors to sense the importance of this location in Sheffield's story.
The viaduct can be explored on foot via the Five Weirs Walk, a pedestrian path running beneath the arches. The best views of the structure are from the Cobweb Bridge area, where pedestrians can safely walk.
During World War II, the central arch was damaged by a bomb, and the repairs remain visible in the structure today. These marks show how wartime conflict affected Sheffield's infrastructure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
