Home > Attractions > Northamptonshire > Geddington Eleanor Cross

Geddington Eleanor Cross

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

In 1290, Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I, died in Harby, Notinghamshire. Her body was carried in stages from Harby back to London for burial. On the night of 6 December, 1290, the procession stopped at this little village in Northamptonshire. As a mark of his grief at his wife's death, Edward set up an elaborate commemorative cross at each location where Eleanor's cortege rested for the night. These crosses came to be known as Eleanor Crosses.

Only three Eleanor Crosses remain intact today, and the Geddington Cross is one of these. It was probably built in 1294. The cross is triangular, and rises in stages from a stepped base to an ornate pinnacle. The lower two stages are beautifully embellished, and these give way to a third stage with canopied statues, below the hexagonal pinnacle. There was originally a terminal topping the pinnacle, but this has gone missing.

At the base of the cross on the south west side is a conduit house, built in 1769, making this the only British example of a public water supply incorporated into a royal memorial.

NB. The most famous of the Eleanor Cosses gave its name to Charing Cross, in London. The other two surviving crosses are at Hardingstone, Northamptonshire, and Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, though neither is as well preserved as the Gddington Cross.

Geddington, Northamptonshire, England

About Geddington Eleanor Cross
Attraction Type: Historic Property - Monument
Location: In the centre of Geddington near the parish church. Open access site.
Website: Geddington Eleanor Cross
English Heritage
Location map
OS SP894829
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Boughton House - 1 miles (Historic House) Rushton Triangular Lodge - 3.9 miles (Historic Property) Rockingham Castle - 5.3 miles (Castle) Lyveden New Bield - 5.7 miles (Historic House) Kirby Hall - 6.4 miles (Historic House) Deene Park House - 6.9 miles (Historic House) Lyddington Bede House - 8.8 miles (Historic Property) Kelmarsh Hall - 9.2 miles (Historic House)

Nearest Towns and Villages Naseby - 13.1 miles away Kimbolton - 15.8 miles away Odell - 16.3 miles away Stamford - 17 miles away Turvey - 19.1 miles away Oakley - 19.7 miles away Peterborough - 20.7 miles away Huntingdon - 22.4 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Geddington Eleanor Cross

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Elms Farm Lodge - 16.9 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Fleckney, Leicestershire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £260

Elms Farm Cottage - 16.9 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Fleckney, Leicestershire Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £180

The Saddlery - 25.4 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Willoughby, Warwickshire Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £370

More Self Catering near Geddington Eleanor Cross

Nearest Hotels

The Comfort Hotel Royal - 3.3 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Kettering, Northamptonshire Stay from: £45.00

The George Hotel - 3.4 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Kettering, Northamptonshire Stay from: £35.00

Rushton Hall - 3.4 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Stay from: £105.00

More Hotels near Geddington Eleanor Cross

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

The Raven Hotel - 4.3 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Corby, Northamptonshire From: £35.00

Spanhoe Lodge - 8.8 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Corby, Northamptonshire From: £100.00

Coton Lodge - 16.2 miles from Geddington Eleanor Cross Guilsborough, Northamptonshire From: £110.00

More bed and breakfasts near Geddington Eleanor Cross

Kettering
Tourist Information Centre
The Coach House
Sheep Street
Kettering
Northamptonshire
England
NN16 0AN
Tel: 01536 410 266
Alternate Tel: 01536 534 212
Fax: 01536 534 370
Email: tic@kettering.gov.uk
Web: http://www.kettering.gov.uk
Map