Fledborough

The viaduct and the hamlet

Fledborough Viaduct crosses the Trent water meadows on 59 brick arches and four steel girder spans. Built in 1897 for the line between Chesterfield and Lincoln, it carried goods trains until a derailment near Clifton-on-Trent damaged the line in 1980 and repair costs were judged too high. National Cycle Route 647 now crosses it, heading west towards Clumber Country Park and east towards Lincoln.

Fledborough is a small, scattered hamlet on the west bank of the Trent, with its medieval church standing alone at the end of a lane in the meadows. Bring refreshments if you plan to spend time here. Riverside paths shape a visit, whether you walk or cycle.

Routes beside the Trent and St Gregory's

A circular walk from Dunham-on-Trent crosses the river to join the Trent Valley Way, follows the Trent south to the crossing and returns north on footpaths beside the hamlet's old church. The separate Dukeries Trail 8 starts at Fledborough Station Cottages and heads towards Wigsley Drain.

St Gregory's Church has a late-12th-century tower base, a 13th-century nave and aisles, and a 14th-century clerestory. The chancel was shortened in the 18th century and rebuilt in 1890; the aisles and south porch were rebuilt in 1912. Inside are a piscina, surviving Easter Sepulchre panels, medieval stained glass and an alms box inscribed "Remember the Poor 1684." The church was vested in the Churches Conservation Trust in 1991.

An impressive crossing and an ancient record

The shared path across the crossing gives walkers and cyclists views over the Trent and the surrounding countryside.

Domesday recorded the village as Fladeburg, worth eight pounds to its lord in 1066 and five pounds by 1086, with 16 villagers, 5 freemen and a mill valued at a shilling. Countess Godiva was the village's earliest recorded owner.

Marriage licences, lost railways and getting there

Reverend William Sweetapple, rector from 1712 to 1755, performed 488 marriages by licences he issued under authority granted in 1728. Fledborough became known as "the Gretna Green of the Midlands"; his power to issue those licences was withdrawn in 1754.

Fledborough's former railway station no longer serves passengers. Saxilby, 5.4 miles away, is the nearest station for this visit. Fledborough is within the North Ollerton Nottsbus On Demand zone. Laxton's surviving open-field system is about 6.5 miles from Fledborough to Laxton village in a straight line; the road journey is longer.

Fledborough carries on

Thirty-eight people, one church that no longer needs a congregation, and a crossing built for trains that stopped running decades ago. Fledborough gets on with it anyway.