Holy Well - Hildenley
(SE 7408 7106)

This holy well is located in a wooded area on the south side of the Coneysthorpe to Malton road. The spring rises at the foot of a wooded bank and collects in a stone lined chamber before seeping away in a boggy area in front of the well. On a visit to the well in march 1999 the chamber still had a depth of clean water in it, although the wooden door frame had rotted and fallen away since the visit in 1988.

Whelan (1) noted that in the past this well had healing virtues and was resorted to by the monks of Kirkham Priory, (4 miles to the south, across the river Derwent) suggesting this was an important holy site for the monks. It is tempting to see some connection with St Hilda in the place name Hildenley as the monks of Kirkham also visited  St Hilda's well at Hinderwell.
A little further to the south, amongst the bushes on the opposite side of the track, is a much grander stone built structure which looks as if it may have housed a pump/syphon system in the past.


(1) Whelan, The history and topography of the city of York and the north riding of Yorkshire 1859.