Guidepost (Fingerpost), Higher Marston

This guidepost, also known as a fingerpost, was made in the early 20th century by W H Smith & Co (Whitchurch) Ltd and was repaired in 2022. It is made of cast iron.

The guidepost features a hollow octagonal shaft with a lower vertical section that serves as a plinth. Above this is a tapered upper section that rises from a plain torus base and is topped with a simple moulded cornice. A narrower round-section shaft extends above the cornice and holds four cast-iron direction fingers. These fingers display raised black-painted sans serif capital letters on a white background, indicating directions to Arley / Aston by Budworth, Marston, Warrington, and Lostock Gralam / Northwich. The fingers have scalloped outer corners, an integral spandrel bracket, and paired cast shaft hoops that are secured by locking nuts. At the top of the hollow shaft, there is a ball finial shaped like a pawn chess piece, which completes the design.