Whitchurch Down cross

Taken in September 1951 of Whitchurch Down cross, which is located just inside the main entrance to the Tavistock Golf Course. Whitchurch Down is a busy area occupied by golfers, walkers, cars, sheep and ponies. The cross was erected as a waymarker for the track across Whitchurch Down, leading into Tavistock. This track would have been used by the monks on their journeys to Tavistock Abbey from both Buckfast Abbey, via the Monks' Path, and Plympton Priory. The badly mutilated head of this ancient cross now rests on top of a relatively modern replacement shaft. This stone has also served as a gatepost at some point in its history.It is thought that the cross stands at or near its original position and is placed in its original socket stone.