Wayside crosses are one of several types of Christian cross erected during the medieval period, mostly from the 9th to 15th centuries AD. They were usually way markers in difficult and unmarked terrain. They would mark access points on religious sites for parishioners and funeral processions, and mark long-distance routes frequented on pilgrimages. The Pentney cross is 600m southwest of St Mary Magdalene's Church and some 2km north east of Pentney Priory.