Stanton by Bridge
Stanton ("stoney farm") stands at the south end of the Swarkestone causeway, most of which lies within Stanton's parish boundary. It is a quiet, sleepy one street village with no pub (the Dog and Duck closed years ago) or shop.
There are many fine farmhouses here and some accommodation in "bed and breakfasts".
Looking up Main St (Church Close), Stanton-by-Bridge.
The small, low and tower-less church of St. Michael (below) contains some Saxon remains ("long and short work") a Norman south doorway, west window and chancel arch but the rest is mainly 13th century. The attractive bellcote is Victorian and there are several interesting tombs within, including an alabaster slab to William Sacheverell (died 1558) and an effigy of a priest dating from about 1400. The church is usually locked but a key is available locally. Nearby is a fine, big brick Georgian rectory.
There are some very pleasant walks in the countryside around here including routes to Ticknall, Swarkestone, Kings Newton, Melbourne, Ingleby and Repton. There is a sailing club to the north of the village. Quarries that provided local stone for building still survive, overgrown, at several locations.
However, the lovely view across the Trent flood plain is spoiled a little by the massive chimneys of the power station at Willington towards the west (which are, however, due for demolition).
St Bride's Farm about a mile south of Stanton towards Ticknall has a preserved Norman tympanum (an arch above a doorway) and was once a chapel. The farm today mostly consists of barn conversions.
