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Location notes
Helwith Bridge is a classic location on the Settle and Carlisle line, which offers good morning shots of workings with either the quarry in the background, or a small viaduct over the river Ribble. There is also an afternoon shot from the west side of the quarry, which on clear days offers views of Pen-y-gent in the background.
For more information on the Settle and Carlisle line please see the Settle - Carlisle Partnership website and consider joining Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line.
For more information on the Settle and Carlisle line please see the Settle - Carlisle Partnership website and consider joining Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line.
Railway type and traffic
Most of the local services to Carlisle are operated by 158 multiple units.
There are a number of freight services operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRf. DRS operate the autumnal RHTT trains over the route.
There are a number of freight services operated by DB Schenker/Freightliner/GBRf. DRS operate the autumnal RHTT trains over the route.
Environment
The main location is on a busy and narrow road which serves the locally quarry which heavy HGVs use. Unfortunately this road is at its busiest when the shot is at its best here. At all times keep to the edge of the road and do not try to dash in front of a HGV to get a shot, you will probably not get it.
The hills to the east offer a steep climb to get the shot, and the footpath to get the shot from the morning side of the viaduct may have nettles and be boggy.
The hills to the east offer a steep climb to get the shot, and the footpath to get the shot from the morning side of the viaduct may have nettles and be boggy.
Road directions
From Settle, take the main B6479 north, signposted Horton-in-Ribblesdale and continue through Langcliffe until you come to a left turn marked Helwith Bridge.
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Helwith Bridge map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Helwith Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
It is possible to park at the field entrance just as you turn onto the road into Helwith bridge, and this has parking for 4 to 5 cars. If this is full, there is also a lay-by on the main B6479 which again would hold a good number of cars. If you wish to do the east hill shot, then parking right at the end of this lay-by should keep your car out of the shot - bear this in mind when parking.
Parking for the afternoon viaduct shot is achieved, by driving past the bridge and pub and taking the first right which takes you to the quarry. You should see the viaduct, and just before this is a field entrance with room to park one car. You will block the entrance to the field, but as you will not be far from your car to take the shot, this should not be a problem.
Parking for the afternoon viaduct shot is achieved, by driving past the bridge and pub and taking the first right which takes you to the quarry. You should see the viaduct, and just before this is a field entrance with room to park one car. You will block the entrance to the field, but as you will not be far from your car to take the shot, this should not be a problem.
Public transport
The nearest railway station is Horton-in-Ribblesdale, but that would entail about an hour walk to get to this location. Dalesbus operate the 581 bus which runs between Settle and Horton-in-Ribblesdale along the B6479, and a kindly bus driver may stop at Helwith Bridge. This bus runs 6 days a week, at roughly 1 and half hourly intervals.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are no amenities at the location but over the bridge there is a pub, called The Helwith Bridge, and the food pub in Austwick, called The Game Cock Inn is very highly rated (you will have to book for evening meal).
Both of these pubs also have accommodation.
Both of these pubs also have accommodation.
Sun Compass
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Helwith Bridge
Streetmap links
Helwith Bridge general view map
Helwith Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Helwith Bridge
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Helwith Bridge
Googly map
Helwith Bridge general view map
Helwith Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Helwith Bridge
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Photographic notes
There are a variety of views to be had at this location, with the main two being the southbound and northbound shots from the east side of the road/rail bridge. Both are best in the morning, as the trees on the west side of the bridge ruin that shot.
There are a couple of alternatives.
To the east the land rises sharply to Overdale and it is possible to take a side on morning shot of both north and southbound traffic from either the bridle path or two fields to the north of this.
Another shot to be had in the morning is found by following the footpath through the field to where it crosses the wall. Once over the first wall, walk between the walls to the river, here there might be nettles and slightly boggy ground, but it will bring you a side on view of the viaduct over the infant river Ribble with the quarry in the background.
A similar afternoon shot is available on the over side of this viaduct.
There are a couple of alternatives.
To the east the land rises sharply to Overdale and it is possible to take a side on morning shot of both north and southbound traffic from either the bridle path or two fields to the north of this.
Another shot to be had in the morning is found by following the footpath through the field to where it crosses the wall. Once over the first wall, walk between the walls to the river, here there might be nettles and slightly boggy ground, but it will bring you a side on view of the viaduct over the infant river Ribble with the quarry in the background.
A similar afternoon shot is available on the over side of this viaduct.
General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Taken from on top of the bridge with the camera point southwards on a misty late spring morning. This shot was taken with a 50mm lens; you have to be careful both crossing the road and standing getting this shot of the HGVs.
Fig 2 - Looking south
Taken from the east side of the bridge of a northbound train on a bright late summer morning. This shot was taken with a 200mm lens.
Fig 3 - Looking west
An interesting shot, taken from the hills to the east of the location with the line, quarry, pond and a patchwork of fields. This shot was taken with a 135mm on a dull morning, but with no train as I could see the fog rolling in from the west over the hills with a quick location change ensuing.
Fig 4 - Looking north
Taken from the east side of the bridge of a southbound train on a misty late spring morning. On a clear day the quarry makes an impressive background to this shot. This shot was taken with a 50mm lens.
Fig 5 - Looking west
Taken from the east side of the line showing the small viaduct over the river Ribble off the first southbound unit of the day in late summer. Minutes later the viaduct was in full sun. This shot was taken with an 85mm lens, but in hindsight a 50mm lens would have worked better.
Fig 6 - Looking east - image © Mark Bearton
Fig 7 - Looking east - image © Mark Bearton
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
