Bishop Burton War Memorial

Bishop Burton War Memorial sits in the village of Bishop Burton in the East Riding of Yorkshire, northern England. It is a stone cross dating from 1922 and a Grade II listed structure on the National Heritage List for England. Its setting is the main draw: it stands at the water's edge and is mirrored in the village pond, which makes it one of the prettiest memorials near Beverley.

What is the memorial?

The memorial is a Latin cross carved in sandstone and raised on a plinth. The architectural practice Temple Moore & Moore designed it, and J. Peers and Sons built it. About £641 was gathered through public subscription. It honours villagers lost in the First World War, with sources giving the number as seven. A second tribute, a carved tablet by Joseph Armitage, hangs inside All Saints church. A newer plaque added by the parish council in 2014 is not part of the listing.

Where exactly is it?

The cross occupies a small peninsula projecting into The Mere, the pond at the heart of the village. It was placed so passers-by on the main road could see it and so its reflection became part of the view. Coordinates are roughly 53.845 N, 0.497 W.

Why is it listed?

Historic England listed the memorial at Grade II in 2015. The reasoning rests on historic interest: it records the effect of twentieth-century conflicts on this community and the losses it suffered. The Imperial War Museums' War Memorials Register also holds an entry for it.

How do you get there?

Bishop Burton lies a few miles west of Beverley, off the main road. Driving is the simplest option. The memorial is beside the pond in the open, so there is no gate, ticket or opening time, and a look takes only a few minutes. Pair it with a walk around The Mere and a stop at nearby All Saints church.

When should you visit?

Any season works, and access is unrestricted. Calm mornings and evenings give the clearest reflection of the cross. Around Remembrance Sunday in November, villagers gather here for a commemoration.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The memorial stands in a public space by the pond and can be visited at any time.

Who designed it? Temple Moore & Moore designed it, and J. Peers and Sons built it in 1922.

How long does a visit take? Ten to fifteen minutes for the memorial itself, or about an hour with a stroll around the pond and a visit to the church.

Is the memorial protected? Yes. It has been on the National Heritage List for England at Grade II since 2015.