Obelisk Approximately 500 Metres South West of Appley Corner is a Grade II listed building in the Central Bedfordshire local planning authority area, England. First listed on 10 January 1985. Monument.
Obelisk Approximately 500 Metres South West of Appley Corner
- WRENN ID
- blind-banister-honey
- Grade
- II
- Local Planning Authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- Constituency
- Hitchin MP: Alistair Strathern (Lab)
- Country
- England
- Date first listed
- 10 January 1985
- Type
- Monument
- OS grid reference
- TL 104 406
- Coordinates
- 52.05349, -0.39055
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
The obelisk, located approximately 500 metres southwest of Appley Corner, was erected in the late 18th century or early 19th century by George Osborn, the 4th Baronet of Chicksands, and is possibly designed by James Wyatt. Made of limestone, it stands about 3 metres high and is in the Gothick style. The base features a three-stage square plinth, with the middle stage displaying rock-faced rustication. Tall corner piers with pointed arched panel decoration flank panels that have pointed heads and moulded frames. Rising from this base is a small obelisk with simple incised decoration. A 20th-century plaque on the south elevation replaces the original inscription on the north face, which commemorates George Montague Dunk, the Earl of Halifax. The inscription details his significant contributions to state affairs during the reigns of George II and George III, highlighting his roles as First Lord Commissioner of Trade and Plantations, Lord Lieutenant of the Land, First Lord of the Admiralty, Secretary of State, and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. Dunk was noted for his distinguished abilities and integrity in these positions and was a Knight of the most polite Order of the Garter. He passed away on June 8, 1771, after a life dedicated to public service. Dunk was the brother-in-law of Danvers Osborn, the 3rd Baronet of Chicksands.
Local climate
Obelisk Approximately 500 Metres South West of Appley Corner sits in one of the driest parts of the UK, with an average of 690 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 96% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 89% of listed buildings.
It experiences an average of 34 freeze-thaw cycles a year, fewer than 51% of listed buildings. Of these, 15 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.
Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.
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- No EPC on record for this property
- No sale records on file
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- Flood risk assessment
- Radon risk assessment
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