I have just added this to the map of places to fly your drone at Drone Scene:
The Monmouth Viaduct or Chippenham Meadow Viaduct is a 20-arch, 183-metre red sandstone viaduct which carried the Coleford, Monmouth, Usk & Pontypool Railway line across the River Wye at Monmouth, Wales.
The line it carried was opened in 1857 and extended in 1861 on the east side of the viaduct. The bridge was not heavily used until 1876 when the Wye Valley Railway completed its line from Chepstow and south Wales. The building of the viaduct took exactly ten months.
In 1873, the Ross & Monmouth Railway arrived from the north-east at Monmouth May Hill. Connecting the town’s two terminii – thereby creating a through route – demanded a ¾-mile link and another bridge, this time a three-span wrought iron structure almost 300 feet in length, with a bowstring central section. This Duke of Beaufort bridge opened on 1st May 1874.
The line between Monmouth Troy and Mayhill was closed on 6 January 1964
The viaduct’s river span has been removed and its masonry arches – particularly on their northern side – have suffered marked deterioration. The river bridge is still standing and, despite its rust, is due to provide a link for pedestrians and cyclists as part of a Sustrans scheme.
It’s a lovely setting just 20 minutes walk from Monmouth town centre. TOAL point is next to the Duke of Beaufort bridge from a public footpath. Access closer to the dismantled bridge not currently possible due to a landslide that took out the footpath
The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 08/04/2025. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.
