Swarkestone Bridge and Causeway

Swarkestone Bridge and Causeway is a substantial structure, approximately three-quarters of a mile long, situated in the parish of Stanton-by-Bridge. A bridge at this location is first recorded in 1204, with the causeway itself likely dating to the late 13th or early 14th century. The bridge was destroyed by floods in 1795 and rebuilt between 1795 and 1797, likely designed by Thomas Sykes, the County Surveyor. Subsequent repairs and alterations occurred in 1682, 1799, 1808, 1830, 1852-4, and 1899, with the latter incorporating blue brick strengthening arches.

The structure is primarily constructed from coursed squared sandstone, with sandstone ashlar facing, and repairs and strengthening elements in red and blue brick. At the northern end is the 1795-7 bridge, featuring five ramped arches with segmental arch shapes, plain drip moulds, and semi-circular cutwaters with rounded tops and pilaster strips. The coped parapet walls have a moulded string course at the base and splay outwards toward the north approach.

The causeway extends southward. The first arch is a segmental arch partially rebuilt in 1977. To the south of this is a triangular buttress and a group of rebuilt round arches. Further south, a pair of 14th-century pointed arches are visible to the east, strengthened with 18th-century red brick ribs and engineering bricks inserted in 1899. This section was widened to the east. Continuing southward, the parapet is interrupted in places by wooden fencing, with intermittent sections of medieval stringcourse visible. A group of medieval segment pointed arches, each with triangular buttresses and lined with engineering bricks (1899), follows, widened to the east in 1853. Further on, there's a set of medieval arches, with a renewed parapet in red brick to the east. Subsequent lengths of medieval stringcourse lead to a medieval cutwater and the springing point of a medieval arch. More substantial lengths of medieval stringcourse are followed by a section of battered wall and a pair of rounded arches with stepped voussoirs, possibly indicating the arches known to have been rebuilt in 1808. Finally, a well-preserved group of six medieval arches, plus a seventh rebuilt with a round arch in 1829, completes the causeway. The segment pointed medieval arches are double chamfered and feature five chamfered medieval ribs, widened to the west in 1854 with a further three ribs, and incorporating iron ties dating from 1854. The final curved portion of the causeway was constructed in 1830. Throughout the structure, various masons’ marks are present. The site is also designated as an Ancient Monument (AM No: 7).