St Helen's well - Great Hatfield
(TA 1885 4262)

It was a pleasant suprise to find this holy well in such excellent condition. The Rev. Smith gives a short description of the well, but is rather vague about its location - being "half a mile from the village". There are no named wells on the modern OS map, but a well symbol is marked by the road to the south of the village and a visit in June 2000 found this recently restored site.

The Rev Smith describes the well as flowing from a grass covered bank with steps down to the water. The recent restoration uncovered the old brick and stone work, and added the low wall and roofing over the well. The spring water enters a chamber behind the grating and the overflow exits along the channel in the floor (this water appears to be piped underground to a nearby pond)

The well is near the old manor house, and in the past the village church (also dedicated to St Helen's) was also located here. However the church has since moved from the site, although the burial ground with its gravestones is still near the well.

A commemorative plaque at the well records the restoration in 1995 and also includes this verse  .......

 This verse was composed by the Rev. Smith, to include the elements required when visiting a healing rag well.