Milestone At Three Mile Cross

The milestone at Three Mile Cross is an early 19th-century stone structure located on the east side of the Old Basingstoke Road at its junction with Woodcock Lane. It has a semi-circular column with a chamfered top, painted white with black lettering. The top inscription reads "SOUTHAMPTON 43," while the side displays "BASINGSTOKE 13 READING 3." The word "Southampton" is somewhat faded due to weathering and lichen growth, but the side inscription is deeply incised.

This milestone appears on the first edition Ordnance Survey map from 1872 and is contemporary with other listed milestones along the Reading-Basingstoke road. Historical mapping indicates that it may have been relocated slightly from its original position, but it has consistently been situated east of the Old Basingstoke Road at this junction. The name "Three Mile Cross" likely refers to a crossroads three miles from Reading, which adds to its significance. In recent years, the milestone was repainted, mistakenly showing the mileage to Southampton as "48," but it has since worn away to reveal "43" once more.

The milestone is designated at Grade II due to its clear representation of an early 19th-century milestone, reflecting the expansion of the road network following the 1773 General Turnpike Act, which mandated the recording of mileage. It also has group value with other listed milestones of a similar form along the same road.