Medieval Well Discovered During Construction in Ripon
Builders working at a department store in the North Yorkshire cathedral city of Ripon have uncovered a well believed to date back to medieval times. The well, measuring 42 feet (12.8 meters) deep, was found near the Marshall Way car park and is thought to be several centuries old.
The discovery occurred recently during groundworks for a new courtyard at Halls of Ripon. Robert Sterne, whose company Sterne Properties is managing the project, commented on plans for the well's preservation.
"The plan is to put a secure reinforced glass cover on it and make the well a special feature."
Inspection and Exploration of the Well
Builder Paul Fountain conducted a thorough inspection of the well, assisted by his son Ollie and mountaineering instructor Pete Breckon. Breckon used climbing ropes to abseil down, aiding Fountain’s descent and ascent.
Fountain described the experience as "mind-blowing," believing he may be the first person in hundreds of years to descend into the well. He noted the stonework was in "excellent condition."
Historical Context of Ripon and Its Wells
Ripon is among the smallest cities in England, with its origins tracing back to the 7th century when St Wilfrid founded a stone monastery there. The city’s rich history is evident in its architecture and customs, including an ancient ritual known as "setting the watch."
This ceremony involves blowing a horn at the four corners of the Obelisk in the market square every night, a tradition that has continued for over 1,000 years.
Richard Taylor, chair of Ripon Civic Society, described the well as an "impressive" find. While other medieval wells have been discovered in Ripon, he was unaware of any located in the city centre itself.
"We've got things like St Wilfrid's Well down below the Spa Gardens, but that's more of a well coming out of the rockface rather than a deep well,"
"I know such things did exist because obviously it was always useful to have a source of water that was not dependent on a river or on collecting rainwater."
Ongoing Revamp and Future Plans
The department store is continuing its £400,000 refurbishment. Barry Cooper, director of Halls of Ripon, referred to the well as "a welcome bonus" amid the ongoing works.
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