Ribblehead Viaduct and Ingleborough mountain, North Yorkshire, England

© AWL Images/DanitaDelimont.co

Bridging history, one arch at a time. Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England

Part engineering genius, part daredevil stunt—that's the Ribblehead Viaduct in North Yorkshire, England. This Victorian structure, also known as Batty Moss Viaduct, has been carrying trains and turning heads since the 1870s. Built by the Midland Railway, it's the longest and third- tallest on the Settle–Carlisle railway line. Stretching 402 metres across the Ribble Valley, its 7.3 metre stone arches reach a height of 31.7 metres.

Construction of the viaduct employed more than 2,000 men who lived in nearby shantytowns; tragically, more than 100 workers lost their lives during the project. In the 1980s, British Rail proposed shutting down the line, but public outcry saved it from closure. Today, the Ribblehead Viaduct remains a symbol of resilience and a marvel of historical significance, attracting visitors from around the world.