Photographs of Monsal
in Derbyshire, England

This page features pictures and historical information about the following:
Monsal, This is located in Derbyshire.


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• Photos of Monsal, Derbyshire, England.
Monsal viaduct is one of the most spectacular, and famous, features on this dramatic section of the Monsal Trail. Between 1867 and 1968 when the Midland Railway ran here, the scenic beauty of this stretch of line was one of the railway's selling points. The viaduct itself is now listed as being of 'architectural and historical interest.'
It wasn't always this way. When the route of the railway was first proposed, it aroused the same strong feelings as despoliation of beautiful countryside does today. John Ruskin, writing at the time said -

"There was a rocky valley between Buxton and Bakewell, once upon a time divine as the Vale of Tempe; you might have seen the Gods there morning and evening - Apollo and all the sweet Muses of the light - walking in fair procession on the lawns of it, and to and fro among the pinnacles of its crags. You cared neither for Gods nor cash (which you did not know the way to get) you thought you could get it by what the Times calls ' Railway Enterprise.' You enterprised a railroad through the valley - you blasted its rocks away, heaped thousands of tons of shale into its lovely stream. The valley is gone and the Gods with it, and now every fool in Buxton; which you think a lucrative process of exchange - you Fools everywhere."

Fortunately the embankments are now clothed in vegetation and have become part of the landscape. The old railway cuttings are of geological interest and are designated sites of special scientific interest.

The scenery of Monsal Dale is largely the result of water carving a course through the dome of carboniferous limestone. Layers of limestone were formed some 300 million years ago when the whole area was covered by a warm shallow sea. When the sea creatures dies, their shells accumulated on the sea bed along with thick layers of mud and sand which was eventually compressed into rock. This was then lifted into a mountain range and worn down again. It is possible to see the fossilised remains of much of the exposed rock of the cuttings.

You can walk the Monsal Trail as far as Wye Dale, near Buxton (about 5 miles). Where tunnels have been closed, alternative routes are indicated.

My photographs here were taken on a circular route down the cliff to the viaduct, across the viaduct and left at the end of it, down to the river, under the viaduct, along the river and over the bridge and back up the hill to the Monsal Head view cafe.

 

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Photo Description : Monsal Head view
Exact map location : Click HERE
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is the great view you get at Monsal Head view point.

To look at a panoramic photograph taken from this view point,Visit my panoramic photos page by clicking HERE


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Photo Description : Monsal Head view
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is the great view you get at Monsal Head view point.

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Photo Description : Monsal Head viaduct
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is where the viaduct goes into the cliff side.
Closed in 1968.

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Photo Description : View from Monsal Head viaduct
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is view from over the side of the viaduct.
This is 80 foot from the ground.
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Photo Description : A sure-footed cow near Monsal Head viaduct
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This cow actually ran down the side of the hill to the river at the bottom. It was very slippery down here but the Cow managed it ok!

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Photo Description : Monsal Head viaduct from river level.
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is Monsal Head Viaduct from the river side.
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Photo Description : Monsal Head viaduct from river level.
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is Monsal Head Viaduct from the river side.

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Photo Description : Bridge over the River Wye at Monsal Head
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is a small bridge at Monsal Head.
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Photo Description : Monsal Head view
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is a view of Monsal Head

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Photo Description : Monsal Head viaduct
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is Monsal Head Viaduct.
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Photo Description : Monsal Head view cafe
Date photo taken : 10th November 2001
Other Information : This is Monsal Head View cafe which is located at the very top of Monsal Head.



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