Building record 182/1/1 - St. Rumbald's Well approx 70 metres south of Astrop House

An 18th century mineral well.

{1} Well head. C18. Limestone ashlar. Arched niche with moulded keystoned surround framed by plain pilasters and straight moulded entablature. 2 stone tanks opposite into which water flows. Sunken area between tanks and well head approached by 4 stone steps, said to be paved but filled with water at time of survey.

{4} 2 wells; 1 for spa & second a reconstruction of 1866; well on site of original (or possibly 2 contemporary wells).

{5} The sunken paved area in front of the well head was flooded in 1991; advice from the County Council that this would cause harm to the structural remains.

{9} St Rumbald's Well shown at SP50783651. C18th Grade II Listed Building. Possible mid C18th well-head. There were two wells; 1 for spa and the other a reconstruction of 1866 well on site of original (or possibly 2 contemporary wells).

{10} The spring enclosure is a walled chamber some 2.5-3ft in the ground, in area about 8ft square (including a long stone bench on one side). Therea re 4 steps down to it, and the floor ocnsists of stone slabs. On the west side is an ornamental structure 7ft high and 5ft wide; not a well hood or recessed seat. It is not mentioned in an account of the spring in 1740 so probably post-dates this. The spring comes from a piupe beneath the long stone bench, over a drain, where it is carried underground to a nearby ditch.

{11} Astrop well is mentioned.

{12} Kings Sutton is thought to have been an important centre during the Saxon period and was only one of three towns in the county to have a market at Domesday. It was, however, eclipsed by Banbury and Brackley during the medieval period. There was a brief renaissance during the 17th century when a medicinal spring was discovered at Astrop. A second spring was also discovered within the site in the mid 18th century and was known as Bog Spring.

{13} Two undated photos, also several photos of the bog spring, two dated October 1956, four dated 25.10.1965, two dated 13.05.1993, and two dated 25.06.1997;

{14} "Astrop is in great reputation for a mineral well, called Saint Rumbald's well, which lies at the bottom of a small hill, and hath been in esteem for fifty years."

{15} The well still issues and now has a paved concrete surround. See photograph.
The decorative stonework is of the 18th c.

{16} [Former list description] Grade II. "C.18, ashlar stone, stone seat in central arched niche with bolection architrave, springers and key block, flanked by plain pilasters with frieze supporting cornice broken forward over keyblock.

The pilasters and base of architrave have moulded plinths. In front of this is a small stone paved space with spring water in stone conduit opposite."

{17} No change to authorities {15} and {16}.
Correctly published on MSD.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 5/182 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> 1955, OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN10681.

<4> 1961, H.M.S.O. List, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN8489.

<5> KAYE J R, 1991, St. Rumbald's Well, Astrop Park, (checked) (Letter). SNN40406.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.96 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP53NW15 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<8> Kings Sutton - The Decline of Astrop, (unchecked) (Report). SNN70285.

<9> GIGGENS B.L., NOTE, (unchecked) (Note). SNN42501.

<10> Beeby Thompson, 1913, Peculiarities of Waters and Wells, (checked) (Article). SNN109655.

<11> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.281 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<12> Walker C., 2013, Archaeological Desk-Based Heritage Assessment of Land at Wales Street, Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire, (part checked) (Report). SNN109864.

<13> Photographs of buildings in Kings Sutton (Photographs). SNN112715.

<14> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 180 (Book). SNN100366.

<15> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 13-FEB-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<16> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE (HHR) Brackley Northants Sept 1960 61 (Report). SNN112993.

<17> Allanson, C D, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 CDA 07-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN112955.

Record last edited

Jan 24 2024 9:30AM