Holy Well, Malvern, Holy well and Grade II listed building in Malvern Wells, England.
The Holy Well in Malvern is a Grade II listed spring in Malvern Wells, set within a stone surround with a collecting basin fed by water rising naturally from the hillside. The structure sits partway up the Malvern Hills, where the water flows out of the rock and can be drunk or collected on the spot.
The spring was first recorded in 1558 when ownership passed to John Hornyold, though its use likely goes back to medieval times. By the 17th century, the water was being collected and sold beyond the local area.
The site draws people who come to fill containers with spring water, continuing a tradition that has shaped how locals and visitors connect with this place. This everyday practice keeps a centuries-old relationship with the water alive and visible.
The well is accessible throughout the year and visitors are welcome to drink the spring water or fill containers to take away. The path up the hillside can be slippery in wet weather, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
Records from 1622 show that water was being bottled and sold here commercially, making this one of the earliest known examples of bottled water as a trade in Europe. The site is widely regarded as the birthplace of the bottled water industry.
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