Doulting Spring, Somerset, BA4 4QE, UK

## Overview Doulting Spring is a historic public drinking spring located in the village of Doulting, Somerset, England (postcode BA4 4QE). Nestled at the back of the churchyard of St Aldhelm's Church, this ancient spring has been a source of fresh water for the local community for centuries. The village of Doulting itself is steeped in history — it sits on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills and is renowned for Doulting Stone, a honey-coloured limestone that was quarried here and famously used in the construction of Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey. The spring is closely associated with St Aldhelm (c. 639–709 AD), the first Bishop of Sherborne and a notable Anglo-Saxon scholar and churchman. According to local tradition, the spring was blessed by or associated with St Aldhelm, and it has long been considered a holy well. Springs of this kind were often revered in pre-Christian and early Christian Britain, serving as gathering places and sources of clean water for surrounding settlements. The church dedicated to St Aldhelm stands as a testament to the deep historical roots of this site. The water from Doulting Spring has historically been used as a drinking water source by villagers and visitors alike. The spring feeds into a stone basin or trough within the churchyard grounds, and the water has been reported to flow reliably throughout the year, drawing from the limestone aquifer of the Mendip Hills — a geological formation known for producing clear, mineral-rich water. ## Directions 1. Head to the village of Doulting in Somerset, which lies approximately 1.5 miles east of Shepton Mallet along the A361. 2. In the village, locate **St Aldhelm's Church** — it is the parish church and is well signposted. 3. Enter the churchyard and make your way towards the **back of the churchground**. 4. The spring can be found at the rear of the churchyard. **GPS Coordinates:** 51.187054, -2.509189 ## What to Expect Doulting Spring is set in the peaceful, well-maintained grounds of St Aldhelm's Church. The churchyard is a tranquil spot surrounded by mature trees and traditional Somerset stone walls. The spring itself is modest but charming — expect a stone-lined basin or channel where the water emerges. The flow is typically gentle and consistent, fed by the underlying Mendip limestone. The surrounding village of Doulting is small and quiet, with limited parking available near the church. Visitors should be respectful of the churchyard as an active place of worship and burial. The site is generally accessible year-round, though the ground may be uneven and potentially slippery in wet weather. While the spring has historically been used for drinking water, visitors should be aware that water quality can vary and no modern testing data is publicly confirmed for this source. The spring is a wonderful stop for anyone exploring the Mendip Hills, the historic town of Shepton Mallet, or the many holy wells and ancient sites scattered across Somerset.