The South Tyne Track and Lambley Viaduct

View from the Railway walk at Alston

The day began calm and sunny but a heat wave was predicted.

“I can’t face any more Roman ruins,” Van-Man remarked. As we are going home tomorrow I don’t want do to any strenuous walking or too much driving.”

Thanks Van-Man, now what do I suggest? He plumped for driving to Alston in the Pennines. Alston boasts a heritage steam railway and is an easy drive along an A road. On the way a viaduct was marked which made his eyes light up as he loves these elegant structures.

the walk went through the trees

Lottie climbing down 

...up and down

On the way out we saw a car park for Lambley Viaduct.

“It’s too far from here,” Van-Man decided. “May be there is a closer car park.”

“I don’t think so,” I replied but the car park was behind us.

...and through the mud

The views of the Pennines were lovely. At Alston we followed signs to ca car park and picnic area. The parking was next to the heritage railway and free with plenty of spaces. Van-Man eyed up the crossing place cafe thoughtfully. “May get a pasty later,” he mused. Let’s walk the South Tyne along the railway. We passed the carriages sheds and a diesel so it looked as if there was no steam scheduled for today as the engine was probably locked away in the shed.
Van-Man lost interest as we were walking on a ballasted gravel track which Lottie clearly didn’t like.

and heading back to base through the trees

...in the boulder strewn South Tyne

I turned round happily as there was little shade beside the railway and it was already hot. The other way fizzled out at the road so we had to go through the town to find it again. Van-Man marched on in the heat but I saw a steep track leading down to the wooded walk by the river. 

He carried on to the bridge where there was no way down before retracing his steps to my path.

Diesel train passing Sally Van in the car park

South Tyne Track following the Railway

Lottie having got hot immediately stepped into the river had a drink and sat down to cool off.
We followed the peaceful path for thirty minutes sometimes climbing small stone steps through the trees until it became overgrown and narrow. Lottie naturally had several dips in the river on the way back and seemed to enjoy the walk. 

View form the viaduct

foot bridge below the viaduct

We returned via the playing fields which hugged the river thus shortening the walk along the road.
 Van-Man turned down the food at the cafe as it was all hot dinners which he didn’t fancy in the heat.
Back at Sally-Van we decided to eat at the picnic area in the shade as our motor home was in full sun and hot inside. The car park had filled up and so had the platform opposite our van.

view from the viaduct

on top of the viaduct

viaduct from the steps

 I was sweltering as I put together a packed lunch of crackers, cheese, fruit and lemon cake. After lunch we had just got into Sally-Van ready to drive away when the barriers on the crossing into the car park came down trapping us there. Van-Man grabbed his camera and jumped out of the drivers door. He stood just in front of Sally-Van taking pictures of the diesel.

“Nice little train,” he said on retaking the driver’s seat. “Shame there’s no steam today.”
He drove to Lambley Viaduct enjoying views of Northumbria this time, and parked in partial shade in the car park he had rejected on the way out.

graceful span

The South Tyne Track followed the old railway line so we expected to emerge on top of the viaduct. We passed old sleepers at the beginning of our walk proving we were following the track bed. After that a footpath signed to Lambley Bridge dropped down towards the river. It only took 20 minutes to walk to the viaduct in the shade of mature trees much quicker than Van-Man had thought.
It was scorching on top of the viaduct after the shade but the views were lovely. Lottie soon got hot in the full sun.

As Van-Man snapped away from different angles I watched a man cross the bridge far below us and begin to climb up a steep stairway onto the viaduct. As soon as he appeared at the far end Lottie wanted to go down to find the river.

keep up Van-Man

cooling down at last

almost back

“We’ll go back that way,” Van-Man decided. “And follow the path up to the old railway track.” We climbed down the steps which took some time as Van-Man took photos of the viaduct from different angles. Lottie kept looking for a way into the water but on our side the river bank was steep sided with big boulders.

“You can have a dip on the other side of the bridge,” Van-Man said. She trotted over to the footbridge and trotted up the steps. after checking that Van-Man was following she crossed over swiftly.

Before I reached the middle of the bridge I heard splashing from our now happy cool Lurcher. We followed the footpath along the river through a field but it started to turn away from the car park. We reached a junction and followed a signpost pointing uphill. It was a hot climb and there was no way out at the top so we followed the hedge and found another track liking ours to the old railway bed. We emerged not far from the rusty railway sleepers and plodded back to Sally-Van in the shade.

We drove back without trouble. Sally-Van’s display said it had been 29 degrees C but she had been in the shade. Before we pitched Van-Man prepared for the drive home by emptying the grey water and topping up the fresh tank. It was very hot back on site so we opened up the skylights and windows and took it in turn to have a shower while the other sat with the Lurcher on the shady river bank. It was a very hot evening but cooled down a bit as we went to bed.