Swarkestone Bridge

(Written by Wayne Anthony & Richard Felix)

Swarkestone Bridge is almost a mile in length and crosses an area of low-lying marshy land as well as the River Trent. It was originally built in the early 13th century, on behalf of two beautiful sisters of the Bellamont family, in memory of their fiancés, as legend has it.

The sisters were holding a party to celebrate their joint betrothal when the two young men were summoned to attend a meeting of barons on the other side of the Trent. They reached the meeting safely, but while they were there, the river became swollen by a rainstorm. Although it became a flood of rushing water, the men were eager to get back to their beautiful sweethearts and attempted to ford the river on horseback. Their horses swam valiantly against the torrent but their efforts were in vain. Both men were swept away and drowned.

The heartbroken Bellamont girls built the bridge over the Trent to prevent such a tragedy occurring again, and in memory of the drowned men. Neither girl ever married. In fact the legend states that they spent so much money on the bridge that they died not only unwed, but also in extreme poverty, being buried in one grave in Prestwold Church in Leicestershire.

Their ghosts are said to be seen on stormy nights when the River Trent is swollen, looking for their lost loves who were so tragically drowned in the river's murky waters.

Click here to find out about more supernatural experiences encountered at Swarkestone Bridge that have been said to be connected to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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The Crewe and Harpur Pub, Swarkestone Bridge

View from the bridge