Swarkestone Bridge, Causeway and Bonnie Prince Charlie
Swarkestone is an important crossing point of the River Trent. This is marked by Swarkestone Bridge – the longest stone bridge in England, the longest inland bridge in England and a scheduled Ancient Monument. It was at Swarkestone Bridge in 1745 that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s men lost hope and turned back northwards, abandoning their march to London to claim the British throne for their master.
It is also said the bridge is haunted by the ghosts of the two Bellamont Sisters who commissioned the building of the bridge, and by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s troops and the sound of horses approaching at speed when there there is nothing about.
At Swarkestone there are also the attractive 17th Century gate pillars and banqueting house of the former Swarkestone Hall, demolished in the mid 18th Century. The banqueting house or ‘pavilion’, with its twin domed towers, is owned by the Landmark Trust and rented out to holidaymakers. Swarkestone Pavilion was also featured on the promotional poster for the Rolling Stones seventh album Beggars Banquet.
