Eleanor Cross, Sledmere

The Eleanor Cross in Sledmere is a Gothic Revival monument in the village of Sledmere, East Riding of Yorkshire. Raised in 1896–98 as a village cross, it copies the medieval Eleanor crosses, and after the First World War it was turned into a war memorial. Historic England lists it at Grade I, the highest level of protection.

What is the Sledmere Eleanor Cross?

The original Eleanor crosses were put up in the 13th century to mark the overnight stops of Queen Eleanor of Castile's funeral procession. Sledmere was never on that route, so this cross is a Victorian replica, modelled on the one at Hardingstone in Northamptonshire. It was commissioned by Sir Tatton Sykes, 5th Baronet, owner of the Sledmere estate, and designed by the architect Temple Moore, who also worked on the village church of St Mary. It is built of limestone, rising in tiers to a cross at the top.

What will you see?

The tall, richly carved structure stands on the western side of the village, beside the site of the old church pond and roughly 45 metres south-west of the gateway to St Mary's Church. Look for:

• the Gothic carving on each stage, in the style of the medieval Eleanor crosses,
• the engraved brasses added after 1918 for local men killed in the First World War,
• the portrait of Sir Mark Sykes, son of the founder, who died of influenza in 1919.

The brasses changed the monument from a decorative village cross into a war memorial. Sources disagree slightly on the date of construction, giving either 1895 or 1896–98.

How to visit and what else is nearby

The cross stands in the open, in the village itself, so you can view it from outside at any time of day. A visit usually takes a quarter of an hour. Pair it with a walk to St Mary's Church, also by Temple Moore, and with Sledmere House, the Sykes family seat. The Sir Tatton Sykes Memorial Tower is a separate monument nearby and not part of this cross.

Frequently asked questions

Is this an original Eleanor Cross?

No. It is a late 19th-century copy based on the 13th-century cross at Hardingstone. The originals were commissioned by King Edward I.

Who designed the Sledmere cross?

Temple Moore, working for Sir Tatton Sykes.

Is it a war memorial?

Yes. Brasses added after the First World War commemorate fallen local men and Sir Mark Sykes.

What is its heritage status?

Historic England lists it on the National Heritage List for England as Grade I (list entry 1039797).