Stowfield's reopened viaduct and Coppet Hill

In 2016 came news that Stowfield Viaduct (known also as Black Bridge) in the Forest of Dean would have to close as it had become unsafe. This was sad indeed as the old railway bridge formed part of the Wye Valley Walk and was said to be used by 20,000 people every year. It was also a great favourite of mine.

When Lucy and I photographed it in 2015 it was looking decidedly shaky – just look at those handrails on the 'railway' side – so I guess its closure came as no great surprise.

Repairing the bridge was going to cost many thousands of pounds. A bid for Heritage Lottery funding failed and it looked as if we were all in for a long wait. Essential work pressed ahead to make the decaying structure safe for those walking or canoeing beneath it, and then it seems that someone had an excellent idea. The scaffolding used for this safety work was adapted to support a temporary bridge... and now we have our bridge back. Brilliant!

It's arguably not as pretty as the original, but I for one am very grateful to see it restored to use... as, I presume, are 20,000 other good folk.

To celebrate this reopening I parked up in Stowfield, then crossed Stowfield Viaduct for one of my favourite walks – up the Wye Valley towards Goodrich, then over Coppet Hill.

Just beyond Stowfield Viaduct is this tempting short cut (again photographed in 2015) if you don't mind dark, spooky tunnels. One day I might explore its murky depths, but not this time. The walk around the hill is very pretty.

Welsh Bicknor church has a glorious setting, close to the Wye. Don't be fooled by the name, though; Welsh Bicknor is in England!

Climbing up the valley side to the Goodrich road, and using a path that I haven't tried before, I found the remains of a lime kiln.

It's a stiff climb from the road to the top of Coppet Hill but the views are definitely worth it. That's Goodrich Church in the middle-distance.

A little further along the hill there's a lovely view of one of the River Wye's huge meanders. The road bridge to Symonds Yat East is among the trees in the centre. I fancy that I can see Hay Bluff on the skyline, though I may be mistaken.

The path eventually descends to the Wye. One of my walk books describes the river bank walk here as "one of the most tranquil and idyllic stretches of the river the Wye Valley has to offer." The photo above was taken a few years ago from the opposite (Gloucestershire) bank. The one below was snapped on this walk from the Hereford side.

Here's a sad sight; a riverside memorial to 16 year old John Whitehead Warre, who drowned near this spot on Sepetmber 14th 1804. The writing is indistinct but 'Corinne' deciphered it and put the text on RootsWeb. It makes harrowing reading...

God’s will be done! Who in his mercy hath granted consolation to the parents of the dear departed in the reflection that he possessed.  Truth, innocence filial piety and fraternal affection in the highest degree.  That but a few moments before he was called to a better life.  He had (with a never to be forgotten Piety) joined his family in joyful thanks to his Maker for the restoration of his Mothers health.....

Finally our path brought us back to Stowfield Viaduct.  Here's a nice photo of it in operational days, with a very short train heading towards the tunnel.

8.4 miles