NHER 56730 (Structure record) - 19th century milestone marking London 97 miles, Downham 6 miles and Wisbech 7 miles

One of 2 surviving milestones along the Norfolk section of the former Chatteris, Wisbech and Downham Market turnpike, which was set up in 1729 and ran from Wisbech to March, before being extending in 1765 from Chatteris Ferry via March and Wisbech to Tydd Gote (all in Cambridgeshire) and from Wisbech to Downham Market.

There are a total of 3 known surviving milestones along this turnpike, one in Cambridgeshire and two in Norfolk, and they are all "slender cast iron posts, with the maker's cast mark on the back: JNS Sturgess & Co, Bowling Ironworks near Bradford, Yorkshire". (S1) states that it is unusual for mileposts to be made at a foundry outside the region.

Both Norfolk milestones also have crossed keys decoration on the headplate, which could possibly be a clue to one of the destinations of the turnpike, as the turnpike connected with another from Sutton to Holbeach and Spalding which was created in 1764, and the first bridge built across the river Nene at Sutton was called Cross Keys Bridge in 1831. This suggests that the milestones were made in the mid-19th Century.

The inscription reads:
Top: London/97/M
LHS: To/Down-/-ham/6/Miles
RHS: To/Wis-/-bech/7/Miles.

(S1) gives further information about this turnpike and the milestones along it.
D. Holburn (HES), 20 February 2012.