Lady Bay Bridge

Lady Bay Bridge carries traffic across the River Trent, connecting Radcliffe Road on the south bank to Meadow Lane to the north with a two-lane roadway. The structure features sturdy stone and iron construction with distinctive arches that span the watercourse below.

The structure was built in 1878 as a railway crossing for the Midland Railway line connecting Melton Mowbray to Nottingham. In 1979, it was repurposed for road traffic and has served vehicles ever since.

The crossing has been featured in film and television productions, most notably representing an international border in a 1982 spy drama. Such appearances have given the bridge a secondary life in popular culture beyond its everyday function.

The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles, offering views of the river from several vantage points. Access is straightforward from either bank, with parking available near the Radcliffe Road end.

The location has served as a crossing point since Saxon times, with evidence of earlier structures standing in the same spot across the river. This long continuity makes it a silent witness to a thousand years of movement and commerce.

Location: City of Nottingham

Official opening: 1878

GPS coordinates: 52.94283,-1.13162

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02