Audley's Cross

A weathered stone cross standing alone in the Shropshire countryside near Market Drayton - that's Audley's Cross. Not much to look at from a distance, but step closer and you're looking at a proper piece of medieval history. The carved details on the shaft tell you someone thought this mattered enough to invest in decent stonework, likely dating it back several centuries when crosses like this marked boundaries or served as stopping points along old routes.

It's the kind of place that rewards a short detour rather than a destination in itself. History enthusiasts and anyone interested in local heritage will find it genuinely interesting, though you won't need more than fifteen minutes to examine it properly. The setting is quiet, which is rather the point - you get a sense of how isolated these markers once were before the landscape filled in around them.

If you're based at Westcott Woods Glamping nearby, it's easily reachable and makes for a pleasant walk through proper Shropshire countryside. The real value lies in combining it with other local history or a decent ramble across the farmland rather than treating it as a standalone visit. Check the weather before heading out - these rural spots offer no shelter whatsoever, and a sudden downpour can turn the experience from atmospheric to rather muddy.

Free to visit, naturally. No facilities on site, so come prepared.