Doe Lea Viaduct

Doe Lea Viaduct was a brick railway bridge with eight arches that spanned across the Doe Lea valley, standing roughly 70 feet (21 meters) tall. The structure stretched approximately 370 feet (113 meters) in length and formed a key part of the rail network through this area.

The viaduct was completed in 1897 as part of the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway and served the line until 1951. After decades of operation, structural concerns led to its closure and eventual demolition.

The viaduct demolition in 1952 became part of cinema history when footage of its explosive destruction appeared in a film about wartime France.

The former viaduct location is accessible today via the Stockley Trail, a public footpath that runs from Glapwell to Bolsover Castle Station. This path provides a convenient way to explore the site and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Footage of the viaduct's demolition by explosives in 1952 was reused in a wartime film set in France, giving this British structure an unexpected role in cinema. The destruction sequence became part of a larger movie production rather than being filmed specifically for that purpose.

Official opening: February 1897

GPS coordinates: 53.22690,-1.30972

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22