Red Well of Wellingborough: Red Well, Wellingborough

In the past, the town of Wellingborough has had many different names.

So how did it end up as Wellingborough?

John Cole, writing in 1837 says,

‘Tradition has it that Wendlingburgh, was changed to Wellingborough in consequence of the celebrity of the Red Well – the newer name is in documents of the period when the waters came into repute’

In fact, the Red Well’s fame grew so great that in 1628, King Charles I and his Queen, Henrietta, visited Wellingborough for the express purpose of taking these sparkling waters, housing themselves in tented pavilions about the famous well.

Rather strangely the town’s reputation as a spa fell into decline during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and many townsfolk today could scarcely find one of the famous wells, unless it be the Red Well itself. The last great glory, if it may so be called, was that the breweries of Wellingborough used its ever-flowing spring. Now, the breweries are no more, and even Red Well is sadly neglected.

Prior to the enclosure of land in 1767 the Well was used as a watering place for horses, where water gushed from a sculpted head, and twenty animals could drink together. A last attempt was made in 1811 to re-establish the fame of Red Well, but to no avail.

Where is Red Well?

1887 mapping (below)shows the Red Well is located to the north west of the town. North of Hardwick Road just west of the stream flowing north.

(click on the images below to enlarge)

Overlaying this map onto modern aerial mapping shows the Red Well's location today.

The route of the the cycleway between Hardwick Road and Kilborn Road skirts around the well and a small stream, which is probably the outfall of the natural spring that fed the well. Today, the area is part of Public Open Space and is enjoyed by many people, walking their dogs or taking a gentle stroll around the area. How many know that the Red Well is just a few yards away from them?

Other uses for Red Well's water

The Red Well was also a source of water for other industries in the town. From ‘A History of Wellingborough, the location of Red Well is mentioned;

‘In 1823 a water mill was built not far from the Red Well and was, appropriately called Red Well Mill. It appears on a local map of 1825. The stream that fed the mill rises between Appleby Lodge and Park Farm, just south of Sywell Road. It meanders its way to pass under Hardwick Road, it then emerges at a point that was in the grounds of Hatton Hall Park and feeds a pond there. Skirting the Red Well spring, and joined by another small stream it became the millrace, by the making of a dam, and passed under the Kettering Road.’

Red Well Mill later came to be called Kilbourn’s Mill, upon its changing owners. In the late 1850’s a pumping house was built next to the mill, which was used to pump water down to the two breweries in Sheep Street. A Modern house has been built on the approximate site of the old mill.

Photographs of Red Well

Then and Now

from Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Over the years the Redwell was sadly neglected and only the foundations of the brick building of the previous photograph could be seen by those who ventured off the cycleway.

Red Well water flowing today as it might have done back in the 1600's (without the concrete pipe of course)

Red Well revived

In 2011, Wellingborough Council and a group called Glamis Grove Volunteers have restored the Red Well. Stone edgings have been placed over the former foundations and a galvanised metal grid installed to prevent access. The water now runs out of the side of the well into the nearby stream. A sign has been erected close by to inform passers by of the history of the Red Well.