Canal & River Trust’s Marple route offers views from the canal side. It does not include the railway deck, tracks or maintenance areas.
Check the official visitor information ↗ · checked 2026-09-13
Use public paths and visitor areas. Do not enter unstaffed tunnels, shafts, railway land or restricted property.
Advice before you visitInformation checked 2026-09-13. We checked published records and visitor information. No site visit or direct confirmation from the operator.
The story of this place
Marple Railway Viaduct was built in 1863 for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. Historic England describes twelve stone arches and an iron span, crossing the road, canal and River Goyt.
The structure had to fit around the routes already in the valley. Its different spans reflect those demands. The listing also describes brick repairs among the stonework, showing that the crossing changed after it was first built.
- Historic England — Marple Railway Viaduct ↗ · reviewed 2026-09-13
What you can see
The canal visitor route gives a view of the railway viaduct and the lower aqueduct together. From there, the difference between a crossing for trains and one for canal boats is easy to see.
This is a view from public ground, not a walk on the railway. The heritage description does not give a recent assessment of repairs or condition. Follow the canal route and any current signs rather than approaching railway tracks or maintenance areas.
- Historic England — Marple Railway Viaduct ↗ · reviewed 2026-09-13
- Canal & River Trust — Marple Locks ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-07
What we still need to check
We have not visited the site. Opening arrangements can change, so check the linked operator before travelling.
Sources for the visiting information
- Canal & River Trust — Marple Locks ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-07
About the original record
This place is recorded by Historic England / Planning Data. The details below include the original description of its building or site type.
Some historic railway structures still carry trains. Being in this category does not mean a line is closed or open for walking.
Place details
- Category
- Lost railways & rail heritage
- Building or site type (original wording)
- MARPLE RAILWAY VIADUCT
- Period or date
- 1863
- Current condition
- Not checked in person
- Heritage protection
- II
- Date protection was granted
- 1985-10-11
- Nearby town
- Stockport (approximate)
- County named in the original record
- Not supplied
- Current county or council area
- Stockport
- Nation
- England
- Original record number
- 1242213
- Coordinates
- 53.407663, -2.068525 (reference point, not an entrance)
- Heritage data checked
- 2026-09-13
- Source last updated
- 2026-09-12
- Visitor information checked
- 2026-09-13
We checked the downloaded heritage record on 2026-09-13. We have not visited or inspected the site. The map point may refer to a whole site, one structure or a location where little remains.