Summary

A cast-iron milepost, one of a series, erected probably around 1818 on the route of the Stratford-upon-Avon to Long Compton Turnpike. Although removed in the late 20th century it was reinstated in its original location in 2023.

Description

A cast-iron milepost erected probably around 1818, reinstated in 2023.

MATERIALS: the milepost is constructed of cast-iron with wrought-iron detailing.

DESCRIPTION: the milepost consists of a cylindrical-fluted base onto which is surmounted a tall, fluted cast-iron shaft with decorative enrichment of bud-like form to the lower section. The shaft supports decorative wrought-iron scrollwork arms with simple acanthus leaf embellishment. These support an early-C21 wooden place name board (original not extant). The board states the distances to Shipston and Stratford as being 1 mile and 9 1/4 miles respectively, and at the top states the distance to London as being 83 miles. At the top of the shaft there is further acanthus leaf decorative work.

History

The Stratford-upon-Avon to Long Compton Turnpike Trust was established by Act of Parliament in 1729 and a turnpiked road was subsequently established from Bridge Town in the parish of Old Stratford to the top of Long Compton Hill. An Account and Minute Book of March 1790 records that ‘Triangular Mile Posts be set up along the road with two iron plates to each of them setting forth the distance from London and Oxford’. The mileposts do not, however, appear to have been erected until around 1818 when an Act was passed which included provisions for the turnpike to be extended from Long Compton to the Inn at Chapel House to the south-east, along a new stretch of road also sanctioned in the same Act. This is one of a series of mileposts along this route of matching design, including six others that are listed.

The milepost north of Old Tollbar Cottage, and approximately 424m south-west of the village of Honington, was shown on OS maps until 1974, however it had been removed from its original location by the late-C20. The milepost was discovered in a private garden in Kenilworth and restored by the Milestone Society in 2019. It was returned to its original location in 2023.

Reasons for Listing

The milepost north of Old Tollbar Cottage (at SP 25994 42239) on the A3400 near Honington, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* as an example of an unusually ornate design, enhanced by the decorative scrollwork.

Historic interest:

* as testament to the wave of road improvement and the introduction of turnpikes which facilitated the transport needs of this part of Warwickshire in the C18 and C19.

Group value:

* it is one of a series of almost identical mileposts built for this turnpike trust along this national route.

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