St Cuthbert's Cross, Lytham

St Cuthbert's Cross, Lytham St Annes

The plaque on the cross reads "According to ancient tradition the body of St Cuthbert about the year 882 once rested here." This is the location.

"In 793 the very first of 200 years of Viking raids destroyed the Lindisfarne monastery entirely except for the tomb of St. Cuthbert. In 875, under threat of these Viking raids, St. Cuthbert's body was removed from Lindisfarne to begin its travels around Northumbria. Halts were made at Mailros, at Durham, and in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Contrary to legend it did not journey to Ireland. In a respite from its travels his body rested for 110 years at Chester-le-Street. In 995 Danes again ravaged Northumbria and forced the monks tending his coffin to move it to Ripon. Only two months later they left Ripon and journeyed north."
This text is from the  'The Life and Death of St.Cuthbert ' by C.J. Stranks, published by S.P.C.K. in 1964. The main primary source of his commentary is Bede's ' Life of St Cuthbert'. The church "next door" is also called St Cuthberts. The legend of St Cuthbert visiting the Fylde is firmly entrenched. This is an extract from the Lytham Hall website

"12th to 16th century

The earliest building known to have been on the site of Lytham Hall was a Benedictine Priory dating from the 12th century. It was a small cell of monks attached to the main Benedictine order at Durham. A Richard FitzRoger granted land for the monks to build a priory and also establish a self sufficient community at Lytham. Richard, it is said, was saved from death after being taken to the local church dedicated to St Cuthbert and later travelled to Durham to give prayers of thanks at the cathedral where St Cuthbert’s bones were interred. 

The order remained at Lytham until the Dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in the 16th century. Lytham Hall is indeed interesting and has almost been "saved". Whether you believe the local Authority have used sharp practice is down to you!

Immediately behind the cross is Lytham Tennis and Cricket Club. Further up the road towards St Annes is St Cuthbert's Church. At the church is a sandstone sundial dating from the 18th century. Almost facing the church is Lowther Gardens. It is indeed a nice spot to rest. However there does not seem to be a mountain of evidence to support the fact that St Cuthbert's body ever rested there.On this same road are 2 milestones, both interesting. No more seem to have survived.

http://www.melrose.bordernet.co.uk/mha/5/cuthbert.html
http://www.lytham-stannes.com/lytham/lytham_hall.htm