 The main square , Market Place , with its market cross is today an attractive location for visitors . Market crosses have stood in the square since before 1390 ; the present Butter Cross , a roofed market cross , was rebuilt in 1673 , and is Somerton 's most noted feature . The structure was the property of the Earls of Ilchester who sold it to the town in 1916 . It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument . Next to the Butter Cross stands the " Market Hall " , previously known as the " Town Hall " , although the building has never fulfilled either of these functions . Bordering the square are the church , and the Lady Smith Memorial Hall , also known as the " Parish Rooms " , which was built in 1902 , and the 17th century Market House , now a restaurant . The Red Lion was opened by the Earl of Ilchester in 1768 as a model coaching inn . It closed in 1995 ; after a period of neglect it has been redeveloped as town houses . 
