Old Trent Bridge

Old Trent Bridge is the surviving remnant of the historic crossing that for centuries linked Nottingham with West Bridgford, in Nottinghamshire, England. Only a few flood arches remain of this long-lived river crossing, but they show what the route over the Trent looked like before modern bridges.

What is Old Trent Bridge?

It is part of a medieval stone arched bridge, once known as the Hethbeth Bridge. Local history sources tie the earliest crossing to the 10th century and to King Edward the Elder, though accounts differ on the exact date (920 or 924). What is clear is that a bridge stood on this spot for a very long time and was damaged and rebuilt many times during the Middle Ages.

How did the bridge change over the centuries?

The Trent flooded regularly, so the structure needed constant repair. In 1551 responsibility for maintaining the bridge passed to the city of Nottingham. After flood damage in 1683 the number of arches was reduced to fifteen. For generations afterwards the crossing served travellers, traders and residents of both banks.

Why was a new bridge built?

By the 1860s the old bridge was in poor condition and too narrow for growing traffic. The new Trent Bridge, designed by Nottingham borough engineer Marriott Ogle Tarbotton, opened in 1871. The old bridge stayed in use until then and was demolished afterwards.

What can you see today?

Two arches of the old bridge were preserved in the roundabout just south of the new Trent Bridge. They are Grade II listed, described as a building of special interest that should be preserved if possible. The site lies at roughly 52.9374 N, 1.13507 W, in the Rushcliffe district.

Who is it for?

• Lovers of engineering and architectural history who want to see a trace of a medieval crossing.
• Visitors exploring Nottingham and West Bridgford, especially around the Trent riverside.
• Sports fans visiting the well-known venues nearby.
• Photographers looking for a contrast between old stonework and modern city traffic.

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Trent Bridge still used as a bridge? No. Only two arches survive, and traffic crosses on the new bridge opened in 1871.

When was the first bridge here built? Local sources point to the early 10th century, but the exact date varies between accounts.

Who designed the current Trent Bridge? Marriott Ogle Tarbotton, Nottingham's borough engineer. It opened in 1871.

Are the remains protected? Yes, the surviving arches are Grade II listed.

Where exactly is it? Beside the roundabout just south of the new Trent Bridge, on the West Bridgford side, in the Rushcliffe district.

Summary

Old Trent Bridge is a small but meaningful witness to a thousand years of crossing the Trent. It is worth a short stop during a walk in the area, to see how the city and the river shaped each other over the centuries. The two surviving arches recall the floods, repairs and decisions that led to the bridge in use today. It makes a good stop on the route between Nottingham city centre and West Bridgford.