Swarkestone Bridge Ancient Monument

Built in the 13th century to cross the River Trent and the surrounding marshes, Swarkestone Bridge is a Grade I listed ancient monument. At just under a mile long, it is the longest stone bridge in England. It has 17 arches, mostly of local sandstone, six of which have been unaltered since medieval times. 

There has been a river crossing on the site since before the Norman Conquest. The first mention of a bridge, made of wood, was in 1204 but the majority of the existing stone bridge dates from the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The bridge and causeway were part of the king's highway between Derby and Coventry. In 1745, Swarkestone Bridge was the southernmost point of Bonnie Prince Charlie's advance on London, in his attempt to claim the British throne.

This circular walk includes part of the Trent and Mersey Canal built in 1777 to link the River Trent at Derwent Mouth in Derbyshire to the River Mersey. It provided an important inland route between the major ports of Hull and Liverpool. 

Our walk begins and finishes in the small market town of Melbourne, home to the travel entrepreneur, Thomas Cook. Refreshments are available to buy from Melbourne Hall tea rooms and there is an option to visit the Spirit Vaults pub at the end of the walk. 

Dogs are welcome but owners must ensure they are kept under proper control at all times.

Waitlist: If this event is fully booked and you really want to attend, add yourself to the waitlist because places often become available. If you are on the list but can no longer come, please cancel your attendance as soon as possible to allow waitlisted people to attend in your place. 

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Image Credits: All images reproduced free to share and use or under creative commons licence: 

1. Dave Harris https://www.flickr.com/photos/djharrisx/49833047843/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swarkestone_Bridge
3. Chris Allen https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2673570
4. Roger D Kidd https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1610274
5. Roger D Kidd https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1610506
6. Image taken by Derventio with permission for ODL use