The Market Cross is a Grade II listed building in the Wiltshire local planning authority area, England. Market cross.

The Market Cross

WRENN ID
fossil-jade-woodpecker
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
Wiltshire
Constituency
Melksham and Devizes MP: Brian Mathew (LD)
Country
England
Type
Market cross
Address
The Market Cross, High Street, Steeple Ashton
OS grid reference
ST 906 568
Coordinates
51.31102, -2.13503
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Market Cross is a market cross located on the village green in Steeple Ashton, dating from 1679, with restorations carried out at various times in the 18th and 19th centuries. It features a Tuscan column set on a stepped base, with a square plinth that has fielded panels and pilasters. The dates of the repairs and restorations are inscribed around the top of the column. At the top, there is a block sundial with wrought iron 'hands' and a ball finial that includes an iron cross and crown. The structure is also referred to as a staple, which suggests that the village may derive its name from it, although it is more likely that the former spire or steeple of the church distinguished Steeple Ashton from West Ashton. The Market Cross is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in Wiltshire, No 251.

Local climate

The Market Cross receives an average of 850 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 59% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 61% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 35 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 54% of listed buildings. Of these, 15 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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Nearby listed buildings

  1. Blind House Grade II 5 m
  2. Walls and Gate Piers to Right of Ashton House Grade II 21 m
  3. Ashton House Grade II* 21 m
  4. 17, High Street Grade II 26 m
  5. 36, High Street Grade II 28 m
  6. The Lodge Grade II 28 m
  7. Sundial House Grade II 28 m
  8. 13 15, High Street Grade II 31 m
  9. 38, High Street Grade II 35 m
  10. Steeple Ashton Post Office Grade II 38 m