A pleasant outing is to take in a walk around our local linear park and make a point of visiting Stephenson's Viaduct. This is a pleasant area for a picnic.

It is easily accessible by walking or there is a car park off Haversham Road (about 1/4 mile on the left). If walking from Wolverton make it a scenic walk by walking through Wolverton Park Recreation Ground (down the metal steps by Wolverton Station), right past the entrance Lodge and left down Haversham Road for about 300 yards. Access "Park" page to get the background history of this recreation ground.

Once you have walked through the carpark and picnic area, the viaduct is the dominant landmark. This is a significant landmark in early railway history as it was one of Robert Stephenson's structures built for The London & Birmingham Railway Company. The L & B were the first Railway Company to link London to another major city, so especially considering the distance involved, this route was a major engineering feat. Built in 1838 of red brick with stone capping it carries the railway line 50 feet above the River Ouse.

Many people consider that although this is not one of the larger viaducts it has pleasing proportions. Bourne included it in his engravings of notable features on the line. It also featured favourably in "Freeling's Guide to the London & Birmingham Railway" published in 1838.

It is interesting when watching the Virgin expresses speeding over the viaduct to think of the engineers and navvies connected with this structure. Their work has certainly stood "the test of time"!

Wolverton Viaduct is now grade II listed.