The scheme has encountered several postponements over the past few years
Bennerley Viaduct – nicknamed The Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley – close to Awsworth
Management reports that visitors have been forming queues extending beyond the entrance at the refurbished Nottinghamshire landmark.
The Awsworth-based visitor centre for Bennerley Viaduct opened earlier this month following multiple postponements. Named The Iron Giant, the structure’s new facility was created to celebrate the region’s industrial and cultural legacy while encouraging visitors to discover its history.
Constructed by the Great Northern Railway, the bridge opened in 1878 during the era of steam, iron and coal, standing 18 metres above the Erewash Valley and spanning 442 metres to connect Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. It carried both passengers and freight by rail.
Rail traffic across the structure ended during the 1960s, leaving it abandoned before the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct assumed responsibility, opening it to the public in 2022 for walking, cycling and exploration.
Construction on the new visitor centre began in 2025 with an initial target of opening during autumn that year, coinciding with the installation of an accessible ramp, despite setbacks caused by a crack in the ramp pathway.
This was revised to an Easter 2026 target, before being pushed back further to the summer season.
The centre operates primarily through volunteers and includes a cafe alongside exhibits detailing the Iron Giant’s 150-year history, while also functioning as a learning space for school groups and other organisations.
Bennerley Viaduct’s new visitor centre opened in July 2026
Since opening on July 18, Broxtowe Borough Council leader Milan Radulovic reported that visitors have travelled from as far as the West Midlands and northern England to see the upgraded attraction.
According to the council leader, business is performing exceptionally well, and visitors have embraced this new destination with tremendous eagerness, turning up in their hundreds consistently and frequently. He noted that it serves not merely as a monument to history, but fulfills a genuine current function, with the site now offering full disabled access and a visitor centre to engage people in studying the structure. He explained that this guarantees its preservation for future generations to appreciate our industrial heritage, discover our history and culture, adding that otherwise it would simply become a neglected monument crumbling away and that was never their plan.
Cllr Radulovic stated that the new facility signals to external investors that Broxtowe and the wider Erewash Valley welcome business, and he expressed hopes that additional companies will invest in the region’s manufacturing capabilities.
He added that what fills him with pride is that it stands as an enduring tribute to our industrial heritage and past, noting that the East Midlands was once the global centre that powered the industrial revolution through coal and steel production.
Jordan Hazell, visitor centre manager, reported that they have experienced queues most days extending past the entrance, and even on days when they are closed, people can be seen looking through the windows hoping to gain entry. She noted that having been open for less than three weeks, they have already welcomed one particular group five times, so they are seeing loyal visitors returning. She explained that as their entire operation depends on volunteers, they are keen to extend their opening hours but require additional helpers, so they would gladly welcome anyone prepared to volunteer their time. She said the experience has been wonderful for their volunteers, and for whatever motivates them, whether they enjoy social interaction or wish to develop new abilities, they are providing training with several young people among our volunteers who are completing food hygiene and barista qualifications.
The centre’s cafe and shop offer produce that is either homemade or sourced from local businesses, including Just Ice ice cream from Derbyshire, produced by a charity assisting those who have suffered slavery, honey from Erewash producers and coffee from Stewart’s at Trent Bridge.
Bennerley Viaduct represents one of only two surviving wrought iron viaducts in England.
The visitor centre received funding from Broxtowe Borough Council and the Kimberley Means Business initiative, features Corten steel cladding and was designed to reflect the industrial character of the historic structure.