Garstang Market Cross

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 26 Jul 2011

This Market Cross, standing in Market Place, outside the Royal Oak public house is probably the most famous landmark in Garstang. The Market Cross, which is a scheduled ancient monument (http://www.ancientmonuments.info/en23784-garstang-market-cross ), probably lost its actual cross from the top of the stone pillar around the time of Cromwell. The steps are seventeenth century (or earlier) and the column and pedestal date from 1754. The original mediæval shaft was removed in 1754 because of local strong feelings against Roman Catholics. It was replaced by the present obelisk which was restored in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The area surrounding the cross was the original Market Place. Garstang received a Royal Charter to hold an annual fair in 1288 and, in 1314, Edward II granted the right to hold a market on Thursdays. The weekly street market still continues every Thursday. This Market Cross, standing in Market Place, outside the Royal Oak public house is probably the most famous landmark in Garstang. The Market Cross, which is a scheduled ancient monument (http://www.ancientmonuments.info/en23784-garstang-market-cross ), probably lost its actual cross from the top of the stone pillar around the time of Cromwell. The steps are seventeenth century (or earlier) and the column and pedestal date from 1754. The original mediæval shaft was removed in 1754 because of local strong feelings against Roman Catholics. It was replaced by the present obelisk which was restored in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The area surrounding the cross was the original Market Place. Garstang received a Royal Charter to hold an annual fair in 1288 and, in 1314, Edward II granted the right to hold a market on Thursdays. The weekly street market still continues every Thursday.

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