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