Market Cross

A market cross, dating from the early C17. The building has an octagonal plan.

MATERIALS: Timber-framed, with lead roofs, the building stands on a brick plinth.

EXTERIOR: The building has three storeys of diminishing size, with ogee shaped, lead-covered roofs. The lower storey consists of an open, octagonal timber-framed structure, with timbers of very heavy scantling. There are eight crown posts, each supporting a horizontal beam radiating from the centre and a horizontal beam reaching the next crown post. Each post is set in a sole plate joined with iron ties to form an octagon, on a red brick plinth laid in English bond. The first floor is a smaller octagonal room with eight-light windows with diamond leaded lights to alternate faces, and timber panels to the faces in between. The second floor contains two-light windows with diamond leaded lights on alternate faces, surmounted by an ogee roof topped with a brass weathervane. There is a clock on the south-east face.

INTERIOR: The interior can only be accessed by ladder, via a trap door in the centre of the floor. The first floor contains exposed timber-framing with eight radiating horizontal beams of heavy scantling supporting the roof of the first floor. There are smaller, apparently later, slender, angled posts supporting each of the radiating timbers. At the time of survey (2023) there was an Acrow Prop supporting the radiating timbers at the centre. There is a built-in cupboard, and the mechanism of the clock is exposed. The second floor is accessed by ladder. It contains a bell, marked “Gillett and Johnston bell founders, Croydon” with its striking mechanism linked to the clock.