The ancient bridge at Swarkestone crosses the River Trent about six miles south of Derby and was for about three hundred years the Midlands' main crossing of the Trent. The bridge is in total just under a mile long and has seventeen arches.

It was built in the 13th century to cross the river and its surrounding marshes. It is the longest stone bridge in England and is listed Grade I . According to Pevsner the present part actually crossing the river, which has 5 arches, dates from the 18th century and was designed by Thomas Harrison.

The bridge is undersized for modern traffic, and is scarcely two-lane for cars at several points. Though there is a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes, the walls of the bridge often take damage from traffic. At the southern side of the bridge is Stanton by Bridge.

In the Battle of Swarkestone bridge during the English Civil War (1643) it was defended by the Royalists against the Parliamentarians, but the outnumbered Cavaliers lost the day.

In 1745 during the Jacobite Rebellion led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, the advance party of his army reached here to gain control of the crossing of the Trent. Finding no reports of support from the south, they turned back to Derby, the invading army then retreated to Scotland and final defeat at the Battle of Culloden. Swarkestone was thus the most southerly point reached during that advance on London.