Healing Wells

Healing wells are defined, nowadays, as having less provenance than so-called holy wells.  This is due entirely to the denigration of water as a sacred substance – which it was in all cultures before the patriarchal religion of christian Industrialism emerged.  So, for the benefit of those who like their judaeo-christian definitions (apologies for those who don’t), here are springs and wells that have lost much of their mythic histories – apart, that is, from their traditions and healing lore. 

  1. Abernathen Well, Kirriemuir, Angus
  2. Abraham’s Well, Baildon, West Yorkshire
  3. Acrehowe Well, Baildon, West Yorkshire
  4. Acton Well, Blanchland, Northumberland
  5. Adam’s Well, Colinton, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  6. Adam’s Well, Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire
  7. Adam’s Well, New Monkland, Lanarkshire
  8. Adam’s Well, Peak Forest, Derbyshire
  9. Adam’s Well, Todmorden, West Yorkshire
  10. Ailsa Well, Bingley, West Yorkshire
  11. Airthrey Mineral Wells, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
  12. Alders Well, Hawksworth, West Yorkshire
  13. Alum Well, Hexham, Northumberland
  14. Amb Well, Foulridge, Lancashire
  15. An Tiobairt, Kenmore, Perthshire
  16. Arch Well, Harlestone, Northamptonshire
  17. Aristotle’s Well, Oxford, Oxfordshire
  18. Arn Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  19. Arns Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  20. Ash Well, Heaton, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  21. Ash Well, Manningham, Bradford, West Yorkshire – see Holy Ash Well
  22. Ash Well, Rothwell, West Yorkshire
  23. Ashes Well, Whitby, North Yorkshire
  24. Atherton’s Well, Preston, Lancashire
  25. Attack Well, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
  26. Auchenleck Well, Robroyston – see Wallace’s Well
  27. Avon Well, Naseby, Northamptonshire
  28. Back o’ Brae Well, Easterhouse, Glasgow – see Todd’s Well
  29. Balk Well, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
  30. Balm Well, Edinburgh – see St. Catherine’s Well
  31. Balsamic Well, Hoxton, London
  32. Bampton Well, York, North Yorkshire
  33. Bank Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  34. Barley Well, East Kilbridge, Lanarkshire
  35. Barrasyett Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  36. Barrel Well, Brechin, Angus
  37. Barrel’s Well, Causewayhead, Stirlingshire
  38. Batties Well, Haughhead, Arbirlot, Angus
  39. Battle Well, Montreathmont Moor, Brechin, Angus
  40. Beggars Gill Well, Grassington, North Yorkshire
  41. Berry Well, Swinton, Masham, North Yorkshire
  42. Bessie Barre’s Well, Culross, Fife
  43. Betty’s Well, Langholm, Dumfriesshire
  44. Billey Well, Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire
  45. Binns Well, Baildon, West Yorkshire
  46. Birch Well, Boughton AluphKent
  47. Birch Well, Wanstead, Essex
  48. Birnie Well, Slamannan, Stirlingshire
  49. Birkin Well, Hawksworth, West Yorkshire
  50. Birley Spa, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
  51. Black Dike Well, Norwood, North Yorkshire
  52. Black Hill Well, Hebden Moor, North Yorkshire
  53. Black Morrows Well, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire
  54. Black Spring, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  55. Blind Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  56. Blind Well, Blockley, Gloucestershire
  57. Blind Well, Doddington, Northumberland
  58. Blind Well, Kirkton of Largo, Fife
  59. Blind Well, Lanark, Lanarkshire
  60. Blind Well, Sutton-in-Holderness, East Yorkshire
  61. Blond Well, Bannockburn, Stirlingshire
  62. Bluidy Well, Abdie, Fife
  63. Bluidy Well, Newburgh, Fife
  64. Boar Well, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  65. Bodan’s Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  66. Bog Well, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
  67. Boiling Springs, Cambusbarron, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  68. Bones Well, Welton, Northamptonshire
  69. Boothdean Spa, Rishworth, West Yorkshire
  70. Bore Well, Bingfield, Northumberland
  71. Botham’s Well, Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire
  72. Bowdler’s Well, Ash-cum-Ridley, Kent
  73. Bower Well, Blairgowrie, Angus
  74. Bowfoot Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  75. Bra Well, Stracathro, Angus
  76. Bradley Spout, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
  77. Brae Well, Livingston, West Lothian
  78. Brae Mou Well, Hopeman, Moray
  79. Brandy Well, Capheaton, Northumberland
  80. Bridge Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  81. Bridge End Well, Elland, West Yorkshire
  82. Brock Well, Lambeth, Surrey
  83. Broomielaw Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  84. Broompark Well, Torphichen, West Lothian
  85. Brow Well, Grassington, North Yorkshire
  86. Brown Haw Well, Hebden, North Yorkshire
  87. Bubbling Well, Baildon, West Yorkshire
  88. Bubbling Well, Cramond, Midlothian
  89. Bull Stank Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  90. Bullion Well, Ecclesmachan, West Lothian
  91. Bullstone’s Spring, Howden Moors, South Yorkshire
  92. Bur Well, Brackley, Northamptonshire
  93. Burning Well, Hindley, Wigan, Lancashire
  94. Burnt House Well, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
  95. Butt Well, Cawthorne, South Yorkshire – see Serpent Well, Cawthorne
  96. Butt Well, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  97. Butter Well, Dalmeny, Midlothian
  98. Cairn Well, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire
  99. Calf Hey Spring, Cockden, Briercliffe, Lancashire
  100. Calverley Spa Well, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  101. Calverley Woods Well, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  102. Cammerdown Well, Dunnichen, Angus
  103. Camp Well, Kettins, Angus
  104. Cannie Well, Torphichen, West Lothian
  105. Cartyheugh Well, St. Vigeans, Angus
  106. Castle Hill Well, Gomersal, West Yorkshire
  107. Castle Well, Bamburgh, Northumberland
  108. Cat Well, Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland
  109. Cat Well, West Haddon, Northamptonshire
  110. Cat Well, Whittlebury, Northamptonshire
  111. Cattle Well, Detchant, Northumberland
  112. Cattle Well, Lochmill, Kirriemuir, Angus
  113. Caudey Well, Rothwell, West Yorkshire
  114. Celtic Well, Wishaw, Lanarkshire
  115. Chalybeate Well, Blockley, Gloucestershire
  116. Chalybeate Well, Bothal, Northumberland
  117. Chalybeate Well, Broughton, North Yorkshire
  118. Chalybeate Well, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire
  119. Chalybeate Well, Carluke, Lanarkshire
  120. Chalybeate Well, Calverley, Leeds – see Calverley Spa Well
  121. Chalybeate Well, Debden, Northumberland
  122. Chalybeate Well, Douglas, Lanarkshire 
  123. Chalybeate Well, Inverkeithing, Fife
  124. Chalybeate Well, Kelvingrove, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  125. Chalybeate Well, Portobello, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  126. Chalybeate Well, Rothes, Moray
  127. Chalybeate Well, Walston, Lanarkshire
  128. Chalybeate Well, Wigglesworth, North Yorkshire
  129. Charlie Well, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire
  130. Chartist’s Well, Pendleton Moor, Lancashire
  131. Check Bar Well, Causewayhead, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  132. Civy Sike Spring, Barden Moor, North Yorkshire
  133. Clelland’s Well, Springboards, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  134. Clockmead Well, Currie, Midlothian
  135. Coates Well, Calverley, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  136. Cobbs Well, Bingfield, Northumberland
  137. Cocklake Well, Hawksworth Moor, West Yorkshire
  138. Cockplay Well, Auchinloch, Lanarkshire
  139. Cocks Well, Whittingham, Northumberland
  140. Coffin Well, Tissington, Derbyshire
  141. Cold Sike Well, Hebden Moor, North Yorkshire
  142. Cold Well, Laneshaw Bridge, Lancashire
  143. Coley’s Well, Colwell, Northumberland
  144. College Well, St. Michael’s Mount, Brechin, Angus
  145. Collie Well, Hartley, Northumberland
  146. Colly Well, Adlington, Kent
  147. Cooper’s Well, Partick, Lanarkshire
  148. Coppy Spring, Wadsworth Moor, West Yorkshire
  149. Cowper Well, Gomersal, West Yorkshire
  150. Crag Well, Shipley Glen, Baildon, West Yorkshire
  151. Crag Well, Snowden, Askwith, North Yorkshire
  152. Crags Well, Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire
  153. Craig Well, Braes of Birkenhills, Aberdeenshire
  154. Craig Well, Creich. Fife
  155. Craig Well, Lundie, Angus
  156. Craig Wells, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  157. Crawley Spring, Glencorse, Midlothian
  158. Cress Well, Blackheath, Kent
  159. Crickle Spa, Broughton, North Yorkshire
  160. Crime Well, Heysham, Lancashire
  161. Cromwell’s Well, Ormskirk, Lancashire
  162. Crooked Well, Bo’Ness, West Lothian
  163. Cross Well, Dundee, Angus
  164. Crowfoot Well, Birtley, Northumberland
  165. Crutch Well, BaildonWest Yorkshire
  166. Cuddy’s Well, Doddington, Northumberland
  167. Cullens Well, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
  168. Cunnel Fold Well, Marsett, Bainbridge, North Yorkshire
  169. Curate’s Well, Dunsyre, Lanarkshire
  170. Cuthbert Well, Ellingham, Northumberland
  171. Cutty Well, Brampton – see Nine Wells
  172. Davie’s Well, Langholm, Dumfriesshire
  173. Davy Well, Wadsworth Moor, West Yorkshire
  174. Deanside Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  175. Deer Gallows Well, Embsay Moor, North Yorkshire
  176. Delf Well, Duddingston, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  177. Den Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  178. Diana’s Temple Well, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
  179. Dib Well, Appletreewick, North Yorkshire
  180. Dissenters’ Well, Kelbrook, Earby, Lancashire
  181. Docken Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  182. Docken Well, Lintrathen, Angus
  183. Dodgson’s Clough Spring, Halifax, West Yorkshire
  184. Doidy Poidy Well, Gomersal, West Yorkshire
  185. Dorrick’s Well, Kinghorn, Fife
  186. Dovecot Well, Balloch, Alyth, Angus
  187. Dovestones Well, Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire
  188. Dowgill Spout, Heyshaw, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
  189. Drabby Well, Colden, Heptonstall, West Yorkshire
  190. Drimvargie Spring, Oban, Argyll
  191. Dripping Well, Arbroath, Angus
  192. Dropping Well, Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire
  193. Droustie’s Well, Lochlee – see St. Drostan’s Well
  194. Drumming Well, Oundle, Northamptonshire
  195. Duncan’s Well, Westquarter, Falkirk, Stirlingshire
  196. Duckladge Well, Lintrathen, Angus
  197. Dundas Well, Pitlivie Moor, Arbirlot, Angus
  198. Durks Well, Alyth, Perthshire
  199. East Well, Astwell-with-Falcutt, Northamptonshire
  200. East Well, Whittingham, Northumbria
  201. Egg Well, Ashenhurst, Leek, Staffordshire
  202. Ellen’s Well, Blair Drummond, Stirlingshire
  203. Elm Crag Well, Bingley, West Yorkshire
  204. Enochbank Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  205. Erringden Spa, Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire
  206. Eye Well, Byker, Northumberland
  207. Eye Well, East Unthank, Northumberland
  208. Eyebright Well, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  209. Fag Well, Finsbury, London, Middlesex
  210. Far Well, Baildon, West Yorkshire
  211. Far Well, Hebden, North Yorkshire
  212. Fare Well, Calverley, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  213. Farkentree Well, Linton, North Yorkshire
  214. Fat Jack Well, Appletreewick, North Yorkshire
  215. Fiddler’s Well, New Monkland, Lanarkshire
  216. Finer’s Well, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland
  217. Finfan Well, Urquhart, Moray
  218. Fingal’s Well, Kirkmichael, Perthshire
  219. Flask Well, Howgill, North Yorkshire
  220. Flass Bent Well, Laneshaw Bridge, Lancashire
  221. Foal’s Well, Grantown on Spey, Moray
  222. Fold Hole Spring, Widdop Moor, West Yorkshire
  223. Fountain Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  224. Fountain Well, Sighthill, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  225. Four Sisters Wells, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  226. Frog Well, Lower Swell, Gloucestershire
  227. Frog Well, Yarnton, Oxfordshire
  228. Fuaran nam Biolaire, Cashlie, Glen Lyon, Perthshire
  229. Fuke Well, Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  230. Gerchew Well, Balfron, Stirlingshire
  231. Hangie’s Well, Cargill, Perthshire
  232. Hawk Well, York, North Yorkshire
  233. Hazel Well, Heswell, Lancashire
  234. Heugh Well, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
  235. Holland’s Well, Smalley, Derbyshire
  236. Homer Well, Looe, Cornwall
  237. Horley Green Spa, Halifax, West Yorkshire
  238. King’s Ring Well, Enfield, Middlesex
  239. Lambeth Wells, London, Surrey
  240. Meadow Well, Shuttle Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  241. Meadowside Well, Partick, Lanarkshire
  242. Middleton Moor, Cowling, North Yorkshire
  243. Miley Well, Redmire, North Yorkshire
  244. Mineral Well, Airdrie, Lanarkshire
  245. Mineral Well, Anderston, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  246. Mineral Well, Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland
  247. Mineral Well, Blanefield, Stirlingshire
  248. Mineral Well, Blantyre, Lanarkshire
  249. Mineral Well, Dollar, Clackmannanshire
  250. Mineral Well, Fortingall, Glen Lyon, Perthshire
  251. Mineral Well, Portobello, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  252. Mineral Well, Upper Norwood, Surrey
  253. Muse Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  254. Ochre Well, Widdop Moor, Heptonstall, West Yorkshire
  255. Organn Well, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
  256. Owl Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  257. Pear Tree Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  258. Penny Well, Granton, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  259. Pump Well, John Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  260. Randall Well, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  261. Ratten Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  262. Redman’s Spa, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
  263. Red Mires Well, Hebden Moor, North Yorkshire
  264. Red Well, Alloa, Clackmannanshire
  265. Reed Well, Welton, Northamptonshire
  266. Rivock Well, Riddlesden, West Yorkshire
  267. Rivock Well, Silsden, West Yorkshire
  268. Rob Roy’s Well, Aberfoyle, Perthshire
  269. Rock Well, Eccleshill, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  270. Rombald’s Well, Morton Moor, West Yorkshire
  271. Rushy Beck Spring, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
  272. Salters Well, Gomersal, West Yorkshire
  273. Salt Market Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  274. Scotland Well, Scotlandwell, Kinross
  275. Scout Willie’s Well, Idle, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  276. Sheep Well, Isle of May, Fife
  277. Skinners Well, Finsbury, London, Middlesex
  278. Skirtful Spring, Hawksworth Moor, West Yorkshire
  279. Slaughter’s Well, Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire
  280. Sore Eye Well, Beckenham, Kent
  281. Sore Eye Well, Eldwick, West Yorkshire
  282. Southergill Well, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
  283. South Running Well, Newburgh, Fife
  284. Spa Well, Barnton, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  285. Spa Well, Bingley, West Yorkshire
  286. Spa Well, Broughton, North Yorkshire
  287. Spa Well, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  288. Spa Well, Elland, West Yorkshire
  289. Spa Well, Lauriston, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  290. Spa Well, Preston, Lancashire
  291. Spa Well, Portpatrick, Wigtownshire
  292. Spa Well, Whitby, North Yorkshire
  293. Spa Well, Wigglesworth, North Yorkshire – see Sulphur Well
  294. Spink Well, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
  295. Spink Well, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  296. Spink Well, Burnsall, North Yorkshire
  297. Spink Well, Gomersal, West Yorkshire
  298. Spittal Well, York, North Yorkshire
  299. Spout Well, New Monkland, Lanarkshire
  300. Spoutmouth Wells, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  301. Spring Well, Kelvingrove House, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  302. Spring Well, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  303. Springbank Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  304. Standard Well, Narden Moor, North Yorkshire
  305. Stock Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  306. Stone Well, Rothwell, West Yorkshire
  307. Street Well, Bapchild, Kent
  308. Sugar Well, Calverley, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  309. Sulphur Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  310. Sulphur Well, Wigglesworth, North Yorkshire
  311. Sunnybank Well, Hawkworth, West Yorkshire
  312. Swanston Springs, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  313. Sweet Well, Morton Moor, West Yorkshire
  314. Sweet Willy Well, Wrose, Shipley, West Yorkshire
  315. Swift Cross Spa, Soyland, West Yorkshire
  316. Tammy Mill’s Well, Laurieston, Stirlingshire
  317. Tod’s Well, Comiston, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  318. Todds Well, Garthamlock, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  319. Tom Well, Stott Hill Moor, North Yorkshire
  320. Tomling Well, Calverley, Leeds, West Yorkshire
  321. Tree Root Well, Liversedge, West Yorkshire
  322. Trinity Well, Trinity Gask, Perthshire
  323. Tron Well, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire
  324. Trongate Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  325. True Well, Oakworth, West Yorkshire
  326. Trumpeter’s Well, Strathaven, Lanarkshire
  327. Tun Well, Eccleshill, Bradford, West Yorkshire
  328. Twentypenny Well, Duddingston, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  329. Upper Ellistone’s Well, Greetland, West Yorkshire
  330. Vauxhall Well, Lambeth, London, Surrey
  331. Vennel Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  332. Wallace’s Well, Dunfermline, Fife
  333. Walloper Well, Newton, Lancashire
  334. Wanstead Spa, Redbridge, London, Essex
  335. Waterloo Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  336. Waterloo Well, North Queensferry, Fife
  337. Watkinson Well, Embsay Moor, North Yorkshire
  338. Well of the Mosses, Glen Almond, Perthshire
  339. West Bow Well, Edinburgh – see Bowfoot Well
  340. Westgate Well, Embsay Moor, North Yorkshire
  341. Westport Well, Edinburgh, Midlothian
  342. Westport Well, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
  343. Whin Knoll Well, Black Hill, Keighley, West Yorkshire
  344. Whin Well, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  345. Whitfield Sike Springs, Embsay Moor, North Yorkshire
  346. Wicken Tree Well, Burley-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire
  347. Willie Bold’s Well, Galashiels, Selkirkshire
  348. Willie’s Well, North Queensferry, Fife
  349. Winter Hill Well, Keighley Moor, West Yorkshire
  350. Witshaw Spring, Embsay Moor, North Yorkshire
  351. Wood Well, Batley, West Yorkshire
  352. Wood WellShipley Glen, Gilstead, West Yorkshire