Our Lady's Well, Holy well and Grade I listed building in Hempsted, England
Our Lady's Well is a limestone well house with an arched entrance leading into a square chamber where water enters the structure. A stone trough extends from the western side on the northern edge, creating a practical system for water distribution.
The well was constructed in the 14th century for the Hempsted estate and belonged to Llanthony Secunda monastery. It received Grade I listed status in 1955, making it recognized as a building of outstanding historical and architectural importance.
The stone carving on the back wall shows Saint Anne between the Virgin Mary and an Angel, displaying the religious artistry of the medieval period. Such religious imagery was placed at holy sites to inspire devotion among people who came to draw water.
The well house is located in Hempsted and is reachable by foot from St Swithun's Road in Gloucester. The site is open and accessible, making it easy to visit without special arrangements or permissions.
The stone trough was added in the 18th or 19th century to provide drinking water for livestock, showing how the structure adapted to practical needs over time. This addition reveals how a medieval monument continued to serve its community long after its original construction.
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