man1c's photostream  

Barney came to stay for w/end so couldn't resist some shots, he is a real gem and a handsome dog..

At just under a mile in length, the Swarkestone Bridge over the River Trent was originally built in the 13th century and is the longest stone bridge in England. Being a strategic crossing it has been the focus of military action during both the Civil War and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and it is suggested that perhaps some of the soldiers involved hunt the bridge still.

According to legend the bridge was commissioned in the 13th century by two beautiful noble sisters of the Bellamont family. The sisters were betrothed to a pair of knights who, during the engagement party were called away to a meeting of the barons. During the meeting, rain swelled the river making their return to Swarkestone over the fording point hazardous. Both knights missed the ford when they urged their horses into the river and they died whilst the sisters looked on. Devastated by the loss of their fiancés the sisters decided to have the bridge built. The cost of the bridge is said to have paupered them and unable to forget their loves, they never married. It is thought that the two sisters were buried in the same grave in Prestwold Church, Leicestershire. It is thought that the sisters may haunt the bridge on stormy evenings when the water is high.