Market Cross

The Market Cross in Wymondham was built after the fire of 1616, specifically in 1617-18, and has undergone restorations in 1863 and again in 1989 by Feilden & Mawson. This structure is timber-framed with a plain tiled roof and features an open ground floor. It has an octagonal shape supported by eight hollow-chamfered stone bases, which hold eight sunk-quadrant and wave-moulded vertical posts on polygonal bases. Arched braces rise to similarly moulded bressumers and inner radial beams. The upper floor overhangs on knuckle braces, with both the main and knuckle braces adorned with carved foliage and rosette decorations. Square-section pendants drop from the meeting points of the main braces and from the corners of the projecting upper floor. The radial beams converge at an octagonal central post that rests on a triple-stepped brick plinth. The upper storey displays exposed studs and limewashed infill, with fascia boards decorated with foliage and other motifs, including the dates of construction and restoration. Each facet of the upper storey features a three-light ovolo-moulded timber cross casement. On the east face, there is a studded plank door hung on bifurcated strap hinges, accessed by a timber staircase added in 1989. The structure is topped with a pyramid roof. Inside, a central polygonal post supports chamfered cross trees, which are repeated at collar level, likely mimicking the construction style of contemporary post windmills. The building also features jowled corner posts and staggered butt purlins below, with plain butt purlins above. The Market Cross is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.