We recently had the chance to watch the TV series Jericho, thanks to a friend who lent it to us on disk. We must say, we really enjoyed it! The series transported us back to the time when the Ribblehead Viaduct was built, offering a dramatic glimpse into the lives of the navvies and their families who worked in brutal conditions to construct one of the most remarkable railway viaducts in Britain.
Life in the Shanty Towns
Watching Jericho made us truly think about the hardships these workers endured. Living in makeshift wooden huts, battling illness, malnutrition, and the harsh Yorkshire weather, every day was a struggle. The women had to wash clothes in streams, despite wearing long dresses and petticoats that must have been permanently caked in mud. The men, after long days of hard labour, would often take hours to walk to the nearest town of Settle for supplies—or to seek solace in the local inns.
The navvies, as they were known, built temporary ‘shanty towns’ around the construction site, each with names like Sebastopol and Jericho, reflecting the dark humour of the workers. These communities housed not only the workers but also their families, shopkeepers, and even schools and churches. However, they were rife with disease, particularly smallpox, which claimed many lives. Many navvies died due to work accidents, exposure, or malnutrition, and their bodies were often buried in unmarked graves on the moors.
The Construction of Ribblehead Viaduct
The Ribblehead Viaduct, completed between 1870 and 1875, was an incredible feat of engineering. It was built to carry the Settle to Carlisle railway over the inhospitable terrain of Batty Moss. Even laying the foundations was a monumental challenge—it took a year just to sink them into the boggy landscape. Workers toiled through all weather conditions, carving out a path for the railway in an area where the elements showed little mercy.
Despite these challenges, their persistence paid off. The Ribblehead Viaduct remains a testament to their determination and skill. It stands as one of the most iconic railway structures in Britain, with 24 soaring arches stretching across the dramatic Yorkshire landscape. Today, it’s a popular spot for walkers, photographers, and railway enthusiasts who come to admire this incredible piece of history.
A Visit to Chapel-le-Dale Church
Our next step in uncovering the history of the Ribblehead navvies is to visit St Leonard’s Church in Chapel-le-Dale. Many of the workers who perished during the viaduct’s construction were laid to rest in the churchyard, and we hope to find some of the headstones commemorating these lost souls. The church itself has a long history and played a crucial role in the lives of the navvies and their families, offering a place for worship and, tragically, a final resting place for many.
A Lasting Legacy
The story of Ribblehead Viaduct is one of resilience, hardship, and human ingenuity. The men who built it may have toiled in anonymity, but their legacy lives on in the great stone arches that continue to carry trains over Batty Moss to this day. If you ever find yourself in the Yorkshire Dales, take the time to visit this historic landmark, walk in the footsteps of the navvies, and reflect on the immense effort it took to build such a structure in such extreme conditions.
For more insight into the history of the Ribblehead shanty towns, we highly recommend reading this detailed blog: The Shanty Towns of Ribblehead.
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