Milestone Approx 320M North-East Of Bake Farm

The milestone, dating to the early 18th century, is located approximately 320 metres north-east of Bake Farm in Pelynt. Originally erected as a result of an Act of Parliament in 1697, it marked a route between Looe and Fowey, avoiding the use of a ferry across the River Fowey, and forms part of a wider group of early 18th-century guidestones and milestones near Liskeard. The milestone is constructed of granite; it is square in plan with a flat top and chamfered corners, standing 0.79 metres high and 0.3 metres wide. The stone was painted white with black lettering. The northern face is inscribed LANREATH / II, the eastern face LOOE / V, the western face FOWEY / IV, and the southern face bears an incorrect spelling of Polperro and reads POLPERO / III. An Ordnance Survey benchmark has been carved on the northern face. During the Second World War, in 1940, the milestone was removed to prevent it from aiding an invading army and subsequently used as a gatepost to Cardwen Farmhouse. It was re-erected in January 2008 at a slightly different location, on the north-east side of the crossroads for safety reasons. The milestone is designated at Grade II for its architectural and historic interest and its group value alongside other surviving milestones along the road between Looe and Fowey.