Nottinghamshire: History and Archaeology
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Origins | The Borough | Population | Industries | Railway stations

The Trent | Cricket geound | Wilford Bridge | Clifton Grove

The tram | Queen's Walk | Carrington Street | Lister Gate | St Peter's

Wheeler Gate | The Market Place | Friar Lane | The castle | Wollaton Hall

Mortimer's Hole | Caves beneath Nottingham Castle

General Hospital | Park Row | Roman Catholic cathedral | General Cemetery

Blind Institute | Albert Hall | Arboretum | High School

Church Cemetery | Forest Ground | Mansfield Road

Woodborough Road | Lunatic Asylum | University College

Poor Law Office | Library and Museum | The Guild Hall

Theatres | The Shambles | Victoria St | Pelham St | St Paul's Church

Prison | Sneinton Market Place | St Mary's Church | County Hall | Town Hall | Weekday Cross

The Trent BridgeAssuming, however, that visitors have time at their disposal, and desire to visit the Trent before entering "the town," they should take a ten minutes' walk by the London-road route—the road between the two stations—which leads direct to the Trent Bridge. The Corporation Sanitary Depot and the Cattle Market (opened Sep. 28th, 1886) occupy a large tract of land on the left-hand side of London-road, known as "The East-croft." They are divided from the roadway by the canal, and approached by three bridges. The Trent Bridge, which crosses the river (and is, generally speaking, the south boundary of the borough of Nottingham), is an elegant and substantial iron structure of three graceful spans, and was opened in 1871. It occupies a position a few yards to the east of the fine old many-arched stone bridge, which crossed the river here for several centuries. Part of the old bridge has been preserved to us, and is crossed by the pathway (against the Police Lodge) which leads to the south river walk. The history of the bridge has been written by the writer of this Guide, and by other local antiquaries. On the left-hand, approached by steps, are tastefully laid-out grounds, and a river-wall promenade. From the steam packet station here, pleasant trips to and from Colwick Park are made during suitable weather, at small cost. Before crossing the bridge, visitors should view the prospect afforded by water, landscape, and town. Opposite the river-wall promenade is Radford's Boating House.

A little down the river the railway crosses the Trent by a bridge, of which an illustration is given. At the country (West Railway bridge crossing the TrentBridgford) end of the bridge is the far-famed Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, upon which many a struggle for victory has taken place with bat and football. The handsome pavilion is to be seen from the Nottingham side of the river. The country inn here has been recently demolished, and a more pretentious and convenient building has been erected in its place.

On the upper reaches of the river are the Baths, maintained at the cost of the ratepayers, and available without charge. Beyond them is the Wilford Bridge, a substantial iron structure, with brick and stone approaches, which was thrown open to the public, on payment of toll, June 16, 1870; and Wilford Church, a favourite spot of Henry Kirke White, who expressed a wish to be interred here—

"Here would I wish to sleep. This is the spot
Which I have long marked out to lay my bones in;
Tired out and wearied with the riotous world,
Beneath this yew I would be sepulchred."

But his wish was not complied with, as that promising poet was buried at St. John's, Cambridge. Visitors will not, however, have time to visit Wilford—a pretty rural village—if the centre of the old town is to be traversed. Visitors who have time to do so should not miss the opportunity of making a half-day holiday at Wilford, with the cottage ever to be associated with Kirke White; and the far-famed Clifton Grove, with its legend of "The Fair Maid of Clifton," as told by Kirke White. The district between the stations and the river retains its name of "The Meadows," and is still subject to floods.

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© A P NICHOLSON | PAGE LAST UPDATED: 27 APRIL 2003