The Cross Tree

All visitors to Moretonhampstead should go and see our ancient and beautiful Church of St Andrews. On your way, pass the 'Cross Tree' or 'Dancing Tree' - unhappily not the original, but one planted only a hundred years ago.

The Cross Tree early last Century

In Napoleonic times, the population of Moreton was increased by many French officer prisoners of war. They entertained themselves and the town by providing an orchestra, which played in a platform built in the original Dancing Tree. Locals and French alike danced around the base of the tree, fortified no doubt from the public house now known as Cross Tree House. Sometimes the French prisoners were exchanged with their English counterparts and could return home. One such prisoner, who played the fiddle in the orchestra, sadly died the day before his carnet of exchange was received and is buried in the churchyard. His gravestone can be seen in the church doorway and on a quiet night at the Dancing Tree you can hear him still playing the fiddle with the long dead orchestra.

Through the churchyard to the left of the tree you find the Sentry, a local name which is not all it seems. If you want to know more you must ask, and though you may not see any ghosts there, nontheless there is one on patrol and has been for a very long time. You really need a dog to help you but that's another story. (A black dog is believed to haunt the B3212 which goes from Moretonhampstead across the open moor.) Take a look at our history page for more information about this unusual tree.

Legends