Stone Pedestal Circa 30 Metres South West Of Lower Mill House

The stone pedestal, dating from the late 18th century, is located approximately 30 meters southwest of Lower Mill House in Prestbury. Made of limestone, it resembles a circular pedestal tomb and stands about 2 meters tall. The pedestal features two large fielded panels on its sides, although there is no legible inscription. On the east side, there is a large console bracket adorned with foliate and acanthus decoration, which was originally matched by a similar bracket on the west side. The pedestal has a moulded capping that includes a frieze with swag decoration, and above this is a tapering stone column with a large square mortice hole, indicating that the column may have once been taller or had a large finial. This column is the last remnant of the features that were part of a tea drinking house known to have existed on this site by 1784. The grounds of the tea house included grottoes, a pavilion, and a Chinese temple. It is noted that George III visited the tea rooms, which were considered one of the main attractions of the village in the early 19th century. The house and tea rooms were demolished around 1900.