Nene Viaduct

The Nene Viaduct is a railway crossing over the River Nene south of Peterborough station, consisting of three main arches on the north side and twelve arches on the south bank. Two supporting piers hold up the structure, each with three pairs of fluted columns standing in the water.

The viaduct was built in 1850 by William and Joseph Cubitt for the Great Northern Railway, and it gained Grade II* listed building status in 1988. The crossing has remained in continuous use ever since its completion.

The structure shows Victorian engineering skill through its mix of cast iron, brick, and steel parts, with decorative cast iron railings and latticework that add visual interest to the crossing.

The viaduct carries high-speed trains as part of the East Coast Main Line, located just south of Peterborough station. The best view of the structure is from the south riverbank, where you can see the full line of arches and supporting piers.

The two halves of the viaduct are held together by six ribs that are bolted together, an unusual construction technique for railway structures of that era. This method allowed the builders to construct each section separately and then join them as one.

Location: Cambridgeshire

Location: City of Peterborough

Architects: William Cubitt, Joseph Cubitt

Made from material: cast iron, brick, steel

GPS coordinates: 52.56810,-0.24518

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:24