Join us for a special spring sunrise at Bennerley Viaduct during International Dawn Chorus Day!
-Join the FoBV team for calm start to the day with Dawn Chorus 2025!
-Enjoy nature at its peak, view the sunrise 20 meters above the Erewash Valley.
-A great event to attend to help boost your mental wellbeing.
-Recently rescued by a grassroots group of Friends, and reopened to the public for cycling and walking, this 1400ft monument straddles the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border, with intricate Victorian-style lattice work and beautiful natural surroundings.
-Although our events are always free, please consider gifting a suggested donation of £3 per person.
Practical Details:
-Due to the early start time of this event we ask you to find your own way up onto the viaduct from the Cotmanhay/Ilkeston, Derbyshire side. The FoBV team will be there to greet you.
-It is preferable that you attend on foot where possible, there is a ramp for wheelchair users for easy access but the meeting point cannot be reached by car.
-If you are travelling from afar and do not know the local area, please send us an email on
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-The event will run for approx. 2 hours.
-Bring a camping chair, a flask and some binoculars.
-We always welcome well-behaved dogs but they must be kept on leads at all times!
How to get here: DO NOT FOLLOW THE POSTCODE. It is provided to help you find the area, but the viaduct has no postcode.
-Access via the Erewash Canal towpath (what3words reference: ///count.trick.tiger). It can be tricky navigating this area so we highly recommend using what3words for your journey.
-More details and parking advice on this webpage:
Visiting Us
Access Information:
-The site is easy to walk as it is mostly flat with a slight incline ramp as well as stairs should you wish to use them. There are no toilets on site. The closest public toliets are at Tesco, Ilkeston.
You may also like the following events from Bennerley Viaduct Friends Group:
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Trips & Adventurous Activities in Ilkeston,
Sports events in Ilkeston,
Meetups in Ilkeston.
