Holy Well (lost): OS Grid Reference – SK 613 746
Also Known as:
- Allen Well
Archaeology & History
The precise whereabouts of this holy well—in the aptly-named Holywell Wood—is hard to pin down. It was first recorded in the Dukery Records of 1232 as Holywell Dale and the woodland that owes its name to the site was recorded on the 19th Century Ordnance Survey maps (right). Bob Morrell (1988) added the site to his survey of Nottinghamshire holy wells, but he was unable to locate it and its position remains elusive. One account suggested that it marked the line of an ancient boundary—which would place it on the western side of the present woodland. It’s alternative name, the Allenwell, may suggest a dedication to St. Helen. I add the site here in the hope that a local antiquarian might be able to locate it. Please let us know if you re-discover it!
References:
- Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, Allen & Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Nottinghamshire, Cambridge University Press 1940.
- Harte, Jeremy, English Holy Wells – 3 volumes, Heart of Albion press: Wymeswold 2008
- Morrell, Robert, Nottinghamshire Holy Wells and Springs, Nottingham 1988.
Acknowledgements: Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian
