Two Marker Posts Situated On The South East Side Of Holme Lode

Two marker posts are located on the south-east side of Holme Lode. Post A was erected in 1851 by William Wells, replacing an earlier wooden post from 1848, while Post B was erected in 1957. Both posts are made of cast iron and were installed to mark the shrinkage of peat as the water table was lowered following the drainage of Whittlesea Mere. Post A, originally from the Crystal Palace Exhibition hall, features a fluted column with an octagonal base and is supported on poles with iron ties. Post B is an octagonal column mounted on a concrete base, with metal plaques inscribed with ground levels and corresponding dates. Whittlesea Mere, of which the nature reserve is a small surviving part, was drained between 1849 and 1853. The nature reserve is managed by the Nature Conservancy Council.