Lady Marian Alford Memorial On South Corner At Entrance To Drive To Ashbridge

The Lady Marian Alford Memorial is located on the south corner at the entrance to the drive leading to Ashridge in Little Gaddesden. Erected in 1891, this memorial honors Lady Marian Alford, the mother of the 2nd and 3rd Earls Brownlow. It features a memorial cross, a drinking fountain, and a seat. The structure is made of white limestone and knapped flint, set on a stone radial platform that is enclosed by a stone seat.

The memorial includes a tall tapering Iona cross resting on a high square base with two steps. At the rear of the base is a small scallop drinking fountain, while the front features a large semi-circular drinking trough and a recessed dog trough. Both the front and rear faces of the cross are adorned with carved panels displaying interlace ornament and Pictish figures. An inscription on the larger trough reads, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into Everlasting Life." Behind the cross is a large semi-circular continuous moulded stone seat, which includes a step, back, and bench ends.