Take-Off Stone 200 Metres To North Of Cadson

The take-off stone located 200 meters north of Cadson is a turnpike take-off stone dating from around 1764. It is made of granite and has a rectangular shape with a flat top. The stone is incised with the upper case lettering "TAKE OFF." This stone served as a marker for coaches traveling towards Liskeard from Callington, indicating that they could take a trace horse from the tollhouse at Newbridge to assist them on their journey to St Ive. Coaches heading in the opposite direction were instructed to take an extra horse at Coombegate. Positioned at the brow of the hill directly north of Cadson, the take-off stone instructed the coachman to unhitch the trace horse and send it back. It is situated along a turnpike road established by an act for turnpike roads leading into Callington, dated 1764, which set up the Callington Turnpike Trust. A subsequent act in 1785 authorized the widening and improvement of 32 miles of road.