Monument record 852 - Cross base on S side of Longstone Lane 100m WNW of Cobden Frm

<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Report). SCH1934.

Plague Stone. Thought to be late medieval. Red sandstone ashlar. Square 19th century sandstone plinth with chamfered edges to top supporting square stone with hollowed top

<2> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment) (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The monument includes a red sandstone cross base on a modern concrete plinth beside the road called Longstone Lane 100m WNW of the entrance to Cobden Farm. The cross base measures 0.73m by 0.73m and stands 0.35m high above the plinth. The socket is 0.34m by 0.34m and 0.16m deep. The sides of the base are worn but were originally clean cut. The concrete plinth measures 0.9m by 0.9m and stands 0.75m high. The sides are chamfered to the top. The cross is in its original position beside a medieval route around the Abbots Moss to Vale Royal Abbey. There are three other crosses along this road including the Longstone and the Headless Cross. It is also on the boundary between the parishes of Whitegate and Marton and Little Budworth. The cross may be one of seven destroyed by Puritan iconoclasts in the 17th century leading to a case in the Star Chamber. The surface of the road is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath it is included. The cross is Listed Grade II.