Shelley Well, Farnhill, North Yorkshire, Keighley, BD20

## Overview Shelley Well — also known as St Helen's Well — is a historic public drinking spring located in the village of Farnhill, just outside Keighley in North Yorkshire. The name "Shelley Well" refers to the stone trough that catches the water flowing from the natural spring behind it. The spring has been in use for centuries, predating even the neighbouring "Spout House," which is said to date back to around 1610. Long before mains water arrived in the area, locals would fill their bottles from the spring as they passed along Main Street — a tradition that speaks to the enduring reliability of this water source. A resident of Spout House, the property immediately adjacent to the spring, has reported that in all her years of living there she has never seen the flow stop, suggesting a remarkably consistent supply fed by a dependable underground source. The name "St Helen's Well" hints at possible early Christian or even pre-Christian sacred associations, as wells dedicated to St Helen (or St Helena) are common across northern England and often have roots in ancient veneration of water sources. ## Directions 1. From Keighley, head northwest toward Farnhill along the A629 or local roads leading into the village. 2. Once in Farnhill, find **Main Street** — the principal road running through the village. 3. Look for the house known as **Spout House** on Main Street. Shelley Well is located right next to this property — the stone trough is visible from the road, slightly to the right and just around the corner from another adjacent house. 4. **GPS coordinates:** 53.91572, –1.993412 (BD20 postcode area). The spring is roadside and easily accessible on foot. There is no significant walk or trail required. ## What to Expect Shelley Well is a modest but charming roadside spring, typical of the historic village water sources found across the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. The water emerges from the ground and feeds into a traditional stone trough. At the time of one visitor's observation, the flow rate was approximately 4.5 litres per hour — a gentle but steady trickle. The flow has been reported to be continuous year-round. Visitors have described the water as tasting clean and pleasant. Historically, the spring served as a communal drinking water source for villagers and passers-by, and it has been reported that people still occasionally collect water here. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary and has not been independently tested or certified, so visitors should exercise their own judgement. The setting is a quiet village street with period stone houses. The resident of Spout House has been noted as friendly and welcoming to visitors curious about the spring. If you're exploring the area, Farnhill sits on the edge of the South Pennines and is close to popular walking routes, including paths leading up to Farnhill Moor and the Pinnacle — a local war memorial with panoramic views over Airedale. Collecting water is straightforward, though the slow flow rate means filling a large container will take some patience. Bringing a narrow-necked bottle or a small jug to catch the trickle from the trough is recommended.