Market Cross, Butter Market, Mountsorrel (Ancient Monument)

The monument includes the market cross, a rotunda located on the south side of Market Place in the town of Mountsorrel. The cross which is Listed Grade II takes the form of a small open sided peristyle structure surmounted by a finial and is principally late l8th century in date. The cross stands on a slightly raised circular platform which is approximately 6.5m in diameter and has a stone flagged floor. The entablature and roof are supported by eight Doric columns which stand on stone pads. These columns consist of sandstone blocks and have been strengthened in places with iron tie bands. The domed roof is cased in lead with a plastered interior and is surmounted by a stone vase shaped finial.
Documentary references indicate that a charter allowing a market to be held in Mountsorrel was granted by Edward I in 1292. The original market cross was moved by Sir John Danvers in the late 18th century to Swithland Park, approximately 3km to the south west of Mountsorrel for safekeeping and the present structure designed by William Thomas was erected in its place in ca 1793.
The surfaces of all modern roads and pavements and the concrete bollards are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath these features is included.