Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Melton Mowbray Town Estate
Gateway to Melton Mowbray
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 5, 2026
1. Melton Mowbray Town Estate Marker
History
The Melton Mowbray Town Estate has, since its inception in 1549, had a positive and beneficial influence on the townspeople of Melton Mowbray.
Being an ancient charity, it was "the premier local authority" carrying out all the functions that are now provided by the local authorities:
educating the children of the town for over 320 years
building a grammar school and other schools
maintaining the roads in the town
constructing bridges
lighting the streets with whale oil lamps
changing to gas street lighting
providing a burial ground
keeping in proper repair the public wells and pumps
providing the Fire Engine and Escape Ladder
maintaining the Church Clock and Chimes
since 1850 running the weekly street markets
Melton Mowbray Town Estate is, today, as strong as ever in its support for the town. From its Charter rights to conduct weekly street markets and the interest from the permanent endowment investments, it is able to contribute to the maintenance of the town centre parks and recreation grounds.
The objective of the Town Estate has always been to benefit the townspeople;
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Today, it is true to say that few towns the size of Melton Mowbray have anything like the amount of parks, public gardens, playing fields, sports grounds and amenities, which were it not for the Town Estate, there would be a charge on your council tax.
The Livestock Market
Melton Livestock Market, was established on its present site, The Cattle Market, by an act of Parliament in 1869. It is one of the five one day markets in the UK.
The partnership managing the market dates back to the mid 19th century. It combines a large throughput of cattle, sheep pigs and fur & feather with trade stalls and antique and collectables every Tuesday and a thriving farmers market on Friday mornings selling fresh local quality produce.
Egerton Lodge & Memorial Gardens
The Town Estate acquired the gardens in 1929. The ornamental gardens were developed over the years and subsequently became memorial gardens. A permanent war memorial was erected to replace
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 5, 2026
2. St Mary's Church
The terrace where the memorial stands is a listed structure with Portland stone tablets recording the names of the townspeople who died in both World Wars and other conflicts.
Have a seat and look around you; this is an area for quiet reflection, take time to spare a thought for all who died.
"At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them".
Dickinson & Morris
Dickinson & Morris has been baking pork pies at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray since 1851. They have the dual acclaim of being the oldest pork pie bakery and the last remaining producer of authentic Melton Mowbray pork pies based in the town centre.
Premium ingredients, time-honoured recipes and attention to detail have made the Dickinson & Morris name what it is today. The host of awards collected by both the shops through the pork pies, sausages and most importantly the staff - along with media recognition, reflects this achievement.
The Melton Cheeseboard
The Melton Cheeseboard is in Melton Mowbray where they currently stock around 140 different cheeses, so if you are in the area please visit them and discover some new flavours, The Melton Cheeseboard is a family run business, which supports local food producers. It is their policy to source many of their cheeses directly from the dairies, by buying directly they can guarantee the provenance of their products as well as minimising food miles.
Tuxford & Tebbutt Creamery.
Established in 1780, the creamery is one of only five in the world licensed to produce Blue Stilton-the "King of English Cheeses.
Located in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, the multi-award winning creamery produces cheeses, using time honoured, traditional methods.
The cheeses which include Shropshire Blue are matured individually and are turned and graded by hand, a process that has been passed down through many generations.
Bede House (or Maison Dieu)
Bede House was an almshouse set up by Robert Hudson in 1640.
The almshouse provided accomodation for Melton's poor and sick, and Hudson's Will directed that an annual gift was to be made to this charity.
The Melton Carnegie Museum
Formerly the Andrew Carnegie Library built in 1905, the Melton Carnegie Museum was opened by Leicestershire County Council in 1977.
The Museum has exhibitions which focus on the town's history including Fox-hunting, Stilton Cheese, and the Pork Pie, as well as saddlery, and shoemaking and the impact they had on the town.
The Museum is also the home of the infamous 'two headed calf. Born around 1900 these female twin calves died just a few hours after being born. They were subsequently preserved by a local vet, before eventually becoming an attraction for the museum.
Saint Mary's Parish Church
Saint Mary's Parish Church is one of the most impressive parish churches in Leicestershire. The oldest part of the tower is the lower section of the tower which dates from 1170. The church's 100 foot tower was built over three centuries with the lower parts dated approximately 1220 and the upper parts circa 1500.
The interior of the church is well lit by its Victorian stained glass windows, which run the length of the building.
Anne of Cleves
A 14th Century chantry house occupied by priests of the Cluniac Order serving the church until the reformation of 1540.
The house was passed to the Crown, in the form of Henry VIII.
On the death of Jane Seymour in 1539, Thomas orchestrated the marriage of the King to Anne, the daughter of a German prince, the Duke of Cleves.
The house then became part of the divorce settlement with Anne of Cleves, who outlived the King and all his wives.
Erected by Melton Mowbray Business Improvement District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1549.
Location. 52° 45.735′ N, 0° 53.167′ W. Marker is in Melton Mowbray, England, in Leicestershire. It can be reached from Mucky Lane west of Burton Street. The marker is just within the entance gates to the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melton Mowbray, England LE13 1AF, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The London Road (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Burton Street (about 150 meters away); King Street (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Medieval Garden King Street (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Hudson's Cottage (approx. 14.5 kilometers away); Fit for a King (approx. 14.8 kilometers away); Friends Meeting House - Oakham (approx. 14.8 kilometers away); Ancient Customs (approx. 14.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melton Mowbray.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?
