Low Cross

At the end of Bridge Street is the Market Place, designated as such by the Low Cross. This  tall column marks the site of the ancient butter market. At the top of the main street you can just about see another column - High Cross. These two mark the extent of the market area. The right of a town to hold fairs and markets was eagerly sought and zealously guarded in earlier times as most of the town's income came from tolls and fines levied on the market traders. 

In previous times the market place would have been very busy with traders and buyers, lots of animals and all kinds of goods being sold. There is still today a market, held on Saturdays in the area around the Cross currently used for car parking. Sadly it is no longer a big market, just a few stalls. 

There is some dispute as to when the Low Cross and High Cross were erected, but the consensus seems to be that they date from the early 18th century, but almost certainly replaced previous much older markers of some kind. Low Cross has a square top bearing the three lions that are on the Appleby Armorial bearings. It has recently been repainted to return it to the light colour it was in the past.