History

Ancient times
Did you know that Gunthorpe has a suspected henge (like Stonehenge, but without the stones)? This is located in the land behind the Car sales on the A6097. For more info see historicengland.org.uk

The Romans
English Queen Boudicca allegedly defeated the Roman IX Legion near here in the 1st century AD.

The Vikings
The Danes sailed up the Trent and settled at Gunthorpe.
A ferry at Gunthorpe (then called Gulnetorp) was documented in Domesday Book and was also mentioned throughout the Medieval period.

The Toll Bridge
To replace the ferry, The Gunthorpe Bridge Co. raised £7,500 in £10 shares, laid the foundation stone in 1873 and completed the largely iron structure in 1875. In 1925 tolls were:
Horse and carriage 1/-
Horse and wagon 6d
Horse alone 3d
People and passengers 1d
Motorcycles 3d
Cars 1/-
Lorries 2/6

The Victorian structure began to show its age with the introduction of motor vehicles. With a maximum limit of 6,000 kg (13,000 lb), heavier commercial traffic such as trucks and vans were unable to use the crossing.  The Nottinghamshire County Council (Gunthorpe Bridge) Act 1925 empowered Nottinghamshire County Council to buy out the Gunthorpe Bridge Company, demolish the old bridge and replace it with the present one.

The Current Bridge

The current bridge, which is a three span, reinforced concrete arch bridge, was built in 1927. It is 400 m (1,300 ft) upstream from Old Gunthorpe Bridge. In conjunction with the new bridge, was a bypass around the village of Gunthorpe and East Bridgford. The central arch has a span of 38 m (125 ft) while the two side arches span 31 m (102 ft). All three arches are supported by four concrete ribs.