Exploring under the Balcombe Viaduct

For over 170 years, trains have been making the hour or so distance between London and Brighton, 50 miles south of the capital on the coast of England.

Roughly two thirds of the way south, the busy railway spans a nearly 500m gap over the River Ouse.

Built in 1841, the Balcombe (or Ouse Valley) viaduct is surely one of the most mesmeric structures in the south of England. The structure contains some very photogenic circular gaps, a planned design to reduce the amount of material used in the construction.

I wonder how many passengers zooming over the 100ft high arches realise what is underneath them?

A footpath passes right underneath the viaduct, allowing you a close up view of this amazing piece of Victorian railway architecture.

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex

Under Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Balcombe, Sussex