The Countess Pillar
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Scheduled Monument
- List Entry Number:
- 1007122
- Date first listed:
- 18-Mar-1965
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Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Scheduled Monument
- List Entry Number:
- 1007122
- Date first listed:
- 18-Mar-1965
Location
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Westmorland and Furness (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Brougham
- National Grid Reference:
- NY 54616 28957
Summary
The Countess’ Pillar, 300m west of Lightwater Bridge.
Reasons for Designation
The Countess’ Pillar 300m west of Lightwater Bridge is very well-preserved and represents a unique commemorative marker erected by an important historical figure. The two constituent elements of the monument provide group value with the alms table being mentioned in the inscription on the pillar. The whole is of undoubted historical importance and the monument provides insight into the importance of the nobility in the earlier post-medieval period and their role in establishing landmarks and commemorative monuments.
History
See Details.
Details
This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 29 March 2016. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.
The monument includes the remains of a stone pillar of 17th century date, situated alongside the A66 east of Penrith. The pillar stands to a height of 4.2m and has an octagonal shaft with a chamfered base and moulded capping, above which is a square block with a cornice, pyramidal capping and finial. On the north face of the square block are two carved and painted shields of arms, on the south face is a brass tablet with an inscription and the remaining faces hold sundials. Located approximately 3m east of the pillar is a low sandstone block. The pillar was erected in 1656 to commemorate the last parting of Lady Anne Clifford and her mother. The stone block, known as the Dolestone, is an alms table upon which the Lady Anne Clifford laid an annual offering to the poor in memory of her mother. The manner and timing of the annuity are detailed on the inscription on the pillar. The pillar and the alms table are both listed buildings Grade II.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- CU 410
- Legacy System:
- RSM - OCN
Sources
Other
PastScape Monument No:- 11999
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 18-Jun-2026 at 07:51:34.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.