Bideford War Memorial Cross

The Bideford War Memorial Cross is located in the East-the-Water area of Bideford. This approximately 7-meter tall, rough-hewn granite cross stands at the highest point of the park, overlooking the River Torridge and the old town on the west bank. It is situated about 35 meters east of Chudleigh Fort, which is a Grade II listed structure and the remains of a Civil War fortification that was rebuilt in the 19th century.

The plain Latin cross rises from a tapering plinth that sits on a deep granite step, which is raised on a concrete step. The front face of the plinth features dedications that read: "THE FORT, DATING FROM THE 17TH CENTURY, WITH/ THE GROUND ADJOINING, WAS ACQUIRED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION AND PRESENTED TO THE TOWN AS/ A WAR MEMORIAL IN THE YEAR 1921./ THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914-1918./ THE NAMES OF THE FALLEN ARE KEPT WITH THE BOROUGH RECORDS./ 'LIVE THOU FOR ENGLAND,/ WE FOR ENGLAND DIED.'/ AND 1939 – 1945."

Additionally, a later bronze plaque is affixed to the front face of the cross shaft. Its inscription reads: "1939 – 1945/ IN HONOURED/ MEMORY/ OF THOSE/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ AND/ DEEP GRATITUDE/ TO THOSE/ WHO SERVED FROM THE/ BOROUGH/ OF BIDEFORD."