Thornton is part of the City of Bradford Metropolitan area but is situated right on the edge, where countryside meets suburbia. Consequently it only takes minutes to access green space with a more rural feel, where old cottages are clustered into tiny hamlets and you can glimpse views of the city beyond the fields. Thornton Viaduct is a notable feature, its 20 arches snaking across the Pinch Beck valley. Once part of the Great Northern Railway network, it has been disused for 40 years or so. It is now a listed structure and there are apparently plans to open it to walkers and cyclists as part of the Great Northern Railway Trail. (The little pointy bit apparently on the viaduct is actually the tip of Thornton St James' church spire!)
This is the Thornton Challenge, Day Five - in which Alan Burnett and I agreed to explore the same village at different times and from our own perspective and then share what we each 'saw'. For Alan's eye view, please go to his blog NEWS FROM NOWHERE.
Now that is a great picture and it manages to capture the beauty of what is, in many ways, a strange little village which is neither town nor country ... but Thornton
ReplyDeleteI'm always fascinated by those points at which town and country not so much join hands, but tentatively touch each other's fingertips.
ReplyDeleteThe viaduct has infact been open to walkers and cyclists for the past year or so. It is accessible from Thornton Roaad via a snicket down the side of Thornton First school . . . . and a fine view, (Photo opportunity)? is to be had of the view down the valley towards the city centre . . if you stand on tip-toes.
ReplyDeleteI love the repetition in the fence and the repetition in the viaduct. What a beautiful shot!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to live in a town which is so near of the country side.
ReplyDeleteThese viaducts/aquaducts are impressive.
ReplyDeleteGood composition Jenny.
Well framed, jennyfreckles. I spent a good bit of time examining every nook and cranny of the photograph, between breaks to take in the whole.
ReplyDeleteThere are viaducts very similar to this one around Buxton. Grand aren't they!
ReplyDeleteNicely composed, jennyfreckles, and an interesting feature in the countryside. If I were in the area, I would like walking and biking over the viaduct.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying this Thornton Challenge - a very interesting concept!
ReplyDeleteAs I said on Alan's post. I would have though people would be clamouring to live there with it being semi rural but close to the city. This is a nice little lane shame that cars have to park in it. I guess there is no room for garages in these little houses.
ReplyDeleteDoh! I commented on the wrong post. That was meant for the next post. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fabulous viaduct. Turning it into a walking/cycling track is a super idea. They have done that here with old disused rail tracks.
A wonderful, imaginative capture Jenny - love all those lines and shapes. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe viaduct would make such a great walking path. It's a very impressive structure. ~Lili
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