Description: The water in this and other wells around Buxton flows at a temperature of 28C all year round. Springs are present in the region where the local limestone rock meets the Gritstone, and the water is forced up and along fissures until it arrives at the surface. As with many springs throughout the UK, the ancient peoples formed settlements where there was a constant fresh water supply. Some of Buxton's earliest settlers made use of either the water made available by these springs, or they used the water from the river Wye which flows through the town.
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.