The Market Cross
2, Gracechurch Street, Debenham, Stowmarket, IP14 6RA
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1199276
- Date first listed:
- 09-Dec-1955
- List Entry Name:
- The Market Cross
- Statutory Address:
- 2, Gracechurch Street, Debenham, Stowmarket, IP14 6RA
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2002-08-05
- Reference:
- IOE01/06087/21
- Rights:
- © Mr Derek Routen. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1199276
- Date first listed:
- 09-Dec-1955
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 24-Jun-1988
- List Entry Name:
- The Market Cross
- Statutory Address 1:
- 2, Gracechurch Street, Debenham, Stowmarket, IP14 6RA
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- 2, Gracechurch Street, Debenham, Stowmarket, IP14 6RA
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Suffolk
- District:
- Mid Suffolk (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Debenham
- National Grid Reference:
- TM 17374 63265
Details
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 4 July 2023 to amend the name
TM 16 SE
6/70
DEBENHAM
GRACECHURCH STREET
No 2
(Formerly listed as No.2 (The Guildhall), previously listed under High Street as The Cross and adjoining premises)
9/12/55
GV
II*
Former market hall, erected on site of market cross. Upper room adapted for use as school in 1668, established under the will of Sir Robert Hitcham. Latterly shop premises; empty at time of survey (July 1987). Early-mid C17 (after 1621) with alterations of 1668. Timber framed and roughcast-rendered. Roof of mid C20 concrete plaintiles.
A freestanding building, approximately square on plan. Two storeys and attic. Gable ends to north and south have jettied upper floors carried on thick carved brackets, the bressummers carved with repeated geometric patterns, now much eroded. Slightly projecting gables, the tie beams also carved.
To north is a tripartite upper window, the projecting centre portion with original carved sill and renewed four-light window; the four-light side windows each retain one original ovolo mullion. C17 attic window. Large boarded and battened doors date from the use of the ground floor as a fire station.
To east, an original five-light mullion and transom window with renewed carved sill. To south, a pair of C20 mullion and transom windows on each floor, a C20 battened entrance door and a gable stack with small square shaft.
Interior. Gable ends were open to ground floor, with a central post and knee braces to the mid rail. Side walls on ground floor have widely-spaced studs and long straight braces. Similar infilling to gable ends. First floor studs quite widely spaced, with curved braces at the corners. Upper floor has on-edge plain joists. Plaster ceiling of upper floor is insertion of c.1668 when attic was made: centre band has repeated pattern based on half-circles; four moulded divisions with Fleur-de-lys, foliage and rosette motifs. Stack is founded on upper floor, an insertion of c.1668 to heat the schoolroom. The fireplace has a simple three-centred brick arch. Roof has clasped and butt purlins with arched wind-bracing.
For structural drawings see Mr T. Easton, Bedfield Hall.
Listing NGR: TM1737463265
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 281494
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 18-Jul-2026 at 00:10:09.
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.