Bows & Whistles

A granite railway viaduct that's properly dramatic when you actually stand beneath it. Bows & Whistles is the kind of Victorian engineering that makes you crane your neck and think, 'how did they even build this without a digger?' It's near Okehampton, spanning a deep valley with a series of arches that have survived since the railway first cut through here. The viaduct itself is best appreciated from the footpath below - you get the full height and those satisfying repetitive arches properly framed against the Devon sky.

Railway enthusiasts will absolutely be into this, and it's ideal for anyone with an eye for industrial history. Walkers especially - there are decent trails passing underneath and around the structure, so it's not just a drive-by gawp. You're looking at twenty minutes to half an hour to see it properly, take some photos, and maybe wander a bit. Free to visit, obviously - it's a landmark, not an attraction with a visitor centre.

If you're basing yourself at somewhere like Wolf Wood Treehouses, which is only four miles away, Bows & Whistles works well as a decent walk rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with exploring Okehampton and the surrounding moorland. The viaduct is worth the detour if you're already in the area, though I wouldn't say it justifies an hour's drive on its own. It's the kind of place that rewards a bit of curiosity - stop, look up, appreciate the craftsmanship, move on.