Holy Well Mineral Spring, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

## Overview Holy Well Mineral Spring is a historic natural spring located in the village of Holywell-cum-Needingworth, Cambridgeshire, England — roughly 6 miles east of Huntingdon, in the district of Huntingdonshire. The spring emerges from within a man-made cave and has long been believed to possess healing and therapeutic properties, a reputation that likely stretches back to medieval times. The site holds considerable historical significance: the spring is the source of medieval fishing ponds situated just off the Larklands, hinting at centuries of human use and reverence for this water. The water is mineral-rich, with a reported Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reading of approximately 550 mg/L, indicating a notable concentration of mineral salts. The pH is reported to be slightly basic (alkaline). While the high mineral content has made the spring a point of interest for those drawn to natural mineral waters, very few people have formally tested the water for drinking purposes, and its potability should not be assumed. Historically, holy wells across England were venerated as sacred healing sites, and this spring appears to be part of that tradition. The spring is free to visit and open to the public, though access requires some effort — the cave entrance features a manual gate that is often locked for safety purposes. There was once a tunnel leading further into the cave system, but authorities have sealed it off with stone walling backed by a layer of concrete. The surrounding area is not always well maintained; visitors have reported litter and overgrown reeds near the spring. ## Directions **Note:** The GPS coordinates listed at the top of this page (52.569271, -0.278572) appear to be inaccurate for this spring. The corrected coordinates, as provided by the original contributor, are **52.31888, -0.03858**. The nearest address is **Holywell Ponds, Larklands, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE3 6SS** (though the spring is actually situated in the village of Holywell-cum-Needingworth, near Huntingdon). 1. Head to the village of **Holywell-cum-Needingworth**, located approximately 6 miles east of Huntingdon in the civil parish of the same name. 2. Park your car in the village — the spring cannot be reached by vehicle. 3. Walk towards **Holywell Ponds** off the **Larklands** area. 4. The terrain is uneven and requires a bit of climbing and walking to reach the cave entrance where the spring emerges. 5. Look for the **manual gate** at the cave entrance. Be aware that the gate is sometimes locked. ## What to Expect Visitors should be prepared for a short but moderately rugged walk over uneven ground. The spring itself flows from inside a man-made cave, which adds an atmospheric, almost mystical quality to the visit. The cave entrance has a manual gate that may be locked, so access is not always guaranteed. The water emerges clear and mineral-laden, with a TDS of around 550 mg/L and a slightly alkaline pH. The mineral content has historically attracted visitors interested in natural healing, though formal water quality testing has been limited. The area around the spring and the medieval fishing ponds can be overgrown with reeds, and unfortunately litter has been reported at times. The site is not wheelchair accessible due to the rough terrain and the climbing required to reach the cave. There are no facilities on-site. Despite these challenges, Holy Well Mineral Spring rewards the effort with a genuine piece of English heritage — a place where natural mineral water has flowed for centuries, feeding ancient ponds and drawing visitors who believe in the water's restorative qualities. It can be visited at any time, though daylight hours are recommended for safety on the uneven paths.