Market Cross, Medieval market cross in Cheddar, England
The Market Cross is a stone structure with an octagonal central pier sitting on three raised steps. A hexagonal shelter with arched openings surrounds the pier, protecting it from the elements while allowing people to gather underneath.
The Market Cross was built between the 11th and 15th centuries as the town's central trading point. A protective shelter with its distinctive hexagonal shape was added during the 16th century, and modern repairs have kept it standing.
The Market Cross served as the hub where locals bought and sold goods and shared news with one another for hundreds of years. It was the natural gathering place for people to hear announcements and make decisions that affected the whole community.
The structure sits at the intersection of Bath Street and remains open to visitors throughout the year. Reinforced protective posts surround it to keep it safe while maintaining its historical character.
When rebuilt in 1834, materials from a demolished market cross in nearby Axbridge were incorporated into its construction. This connected the stories of two Somerset towns and gave them a shared past.
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