Sundial in churchyard of St Mary’s, Marston – Only the socket stone is thought to be ancient (Photo: Historic England)
Parish/DistrictMarston/South Kesteven
Locationc. 4m south of the south east corner of the south porch of St Mary’s Church
CategoryChurchyard cross (now sundial)
National Grid RefSK 89284 43704
DesignationScheduled / Listed II
Stone TypeLimestone
RefsAP Survey 9 Dec 1993; Davies, D S, 1913, Lincs N & Q, Vol XII No.5, p.143
VisitsAP 9 Dec 1993 | DS: 18 May 1999 | DS/HH: 5 July 2011

The charming 17th century sundial in the churchyard of St Mary’s in Marston is thought to re-use a massive medieval socket stone as its base – all the other elements of the sundial (plinth, shaft and head) appear to be later.

The socket stone is a large block c. 0.74m square and 0.66m high. It is of typical medieval form, plain with broaches (semi-pyramidal shaped blocks) and chamfered upper corners creating a top of octagonal section. A large recess, 0.54m square and about 20mm deep, has been cut into the top of the stone at a later date. The base for the cylindrical shaft of the sundial is set into this recess.

The massive socket stone of Marston cross has had a recess cut into its top surface into which is set the base for the sundial shaft
The head of the Marston sundial with vertical iron gnomons
Marston

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