Mark combines architectural history dating back to the 13th century with a circular walk that starts in the village. This puts historical details and landscape side by side as distinct focal points to consider when choosing your destination.

Holy Cross: architectural history and carvings

In April 1268, Holy Cross was consecrated as “The Church of the Holy Cross”. The Lady Chapel on the south side is the oldest surviving part of the church; its dating to 1268 is considered probable. The church was extended in the 14th and 15th centuries, while the tower and north porch were added in the late 15th century. This makes it possible to distinguish between the consecration date of April 1268, the probable dating of the oldest surviving part of the building, and the later additions.

A special detail can be found in the chancel: four figures of the Evangelists from 1524 are displayed there, each carved from a single piece of oak. The Belgian sculptor André created the figures; they originally came from Bruges Cathedral. Their date, material and origin give the carvings a story of their own within the development of Holy Cross.

Market Cross and remembrance

The former Market Cross stands in the churchyard of the church in Mark and probably dates from the 15th century. It offers another historical point of reference alongside the architectural history of Holy Cross, with a date that also places it in the medieval period.

The Mark War Memorial consists of a stone cross with a tapering shaft on a two-tier octagonal base. A sword is depicted in relief on the upper half of the cross. The inscription commemorates those who fell in the First World War from 1914 to 1918. The two crosses mark different periods: the Market Cross is thought to date from the 15th century, while the memorial commemorates those who fell between 1914 and 1918.

Landscape and circular walk

The “Mark's Ditches & Droves” circular walk starts in Mark; Brent Knoll provides a constant backdrop along the route. Mark Moor is a landscape feature in its own right: there, droves, rhynes and ditches shape a landscape defined by straight lines. The words “droves” and “ditches” also appear in the name of the walk, while rhynes are another element of this linear pattern.

The difference for your choice lies in the focus: Holy Cross offers datable building phases and carved figures; the circular walk starts in Mark, with Brent Knoll as its backdrop. This can help you decide whether you would rather focus on architectural history or the landscape during your stay.

The heritage routes were identified more than ten years ago and are no longer checked by Avalon Marshes. So check for up-to-date guidance before setting out.

Discover more destinations: South Petherton, Brent Knoll, Kilve, Milverton, West Huntspill, Goathurst, Nether Stowey, Cutcombe

For the main travel overview: Somerset.