The working life of Clitheroe's Ancient Spring Wells

The Town's three former Public Town Wells are integral with - and a product of - the Limestone Ridge running from Castle to Parish Church. All three are located along the ridge's geological 'spring line'. They - and the numerous but much later sunken lined wells - sustained everyday town life here.

The earliest recorded settlement sites in the Ribble Valley around Clitheroe date to the Bronze Age (c. 2000–1500 BC). Here people drew, carried and used, naturally provided spring water supply. At these sites they exchanged news, maintained households, supported trade and industry and built a community long before the convenience of reservoirs, pipes and taps. Without this 'natural bounty' the original could not have been founded and sustained.

This Exhibition takes place at Clitheroe's Carnegie Library for the duration of this year's HOD Festival.
THE WORKING LIFE OF CLITHEROE’S ANCIENT SPRING WELLS., featuring:
“Water & Work: The Wells That Powered Clitheroe”
“The People’s Water: How Clitheroe Governed Its Wells”
“Stories from the Wells”
"Historic Significance, Vulnerability and Potential of the Town's Three Ancient Spring Wells"
"Clitheroe Town Wells Conservation Campaign's Activities "

Linked to this will be other events including: CTWCC Chair - Steve Ragnall's presentation of 'The Horrid Histories of Clitheroe' and External tours (Guided and Self-Guided). See HOD 2026 Website for details.

Timings

Friday 11 September:

1400-1700

Saturday 12 September:

0900-1300

Monday 14 September:

0900-1700

Tuesday 15 September:

0900-1900

Wednesday 16 September:

0900-1700

Thursday 17 September:

0900-1900

Friday 18 September:

0900-1700

Saturday 19 September:

0900-1300

Location & directions

Lancashire County Council Library, Church Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2DG

Directions:

The fixed exhibition will be at Clitheroe Clitheroe Carnegie Library. This will be open throughout the HOD 2026 Festival period, subject to the Libraries normal opening hours. Monday: 09:00 – 17:00; Tuesday: 09:00 – 19:00; Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00; Thursday: 09:00 – 19:00; Friday: 09:00 – 17:00; Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00; Sunday: Closed

Contact on day:

Steve Burke, CTWCC Secretary

Telephone number:

+447975518113

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Wheelchair and less abled access via York Street entrance.

Additional information

For over a thousand years, Clitheroe’s ancient spring wells—Heald Well, Stock Well, and St Mary’s Well—supplied the town’s households, trades, travellers, and livestock with a reliable, and for the most part, potable water supply. CTWCC's contribution to this years Festival is via this Exhibition & Guided Walks to explore their everyday history, from their geological origins to modern stewardship requirements. It presents the significance of these three ancient sites to Clitheroe's foundation and development and this Campaign's work to secure their lasting and meaningful future.

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