Construction Crew Unearths Impeccably Preserved 42-Foot Medieval Well in Heart of Ripon City Centre

Builders in Ripon have unearthed a 42-foot deep medieval well. Learn how this centuries-old discovery is being preserved as a permanent city feature.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 5:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the BBC

Builders Stumble Upon Centuries-Old Water Source During Groundworks

A routine renovation at a prominent North Yorkshire department store has yielded a significant archaeological find after builders uncovered a medieval stone well. The structure was discovered near the Marshall Way car park in Ripon during groundworks for a new courtyard at the Halls of Ripon. Reaching a depth of 12.8 meters (42 feet), the well is believed to have been out of use and hidden from public view for hundreds of years. Robert Sterne of Sterne Properties, the firm overseeing the £400,000 revamp, confirmed that rather than being filled in, the well will be capped with reinforced glass to serve as a permanent historical feature.

Mountaineering Techniques Used to Inspect Deep Stone Structure

To assess the integrity of the find, builder Paul Fountain conducted a full descent into the shaft, aided by mountaineering instructor Pete Breckon. Using climbing ropes to abseil the 42-foot drop, Fountain became the first person in several centuries to explore the interior of the well. Upon returning to the surface, Fountain noted that the stonework remained in "excellent condition," surviving remarkably well despite the surrounding urban development over the centuries.

Civic Society Notes Rarity of Deep Urban Well Discoveries

Richard Taylor, chair of the Ripon Civic Society, described the find as particularly "impressive" given its location in the city's commercial heart. While Ripon is known for its medieval history and geological features like St Wilfrid’s Well near the Spa Gardens, Taylor noted that most previously known sources were rockface springs rather than deep-sunk wells. He highlighted that such structures were once vital for providing a reliable water source independent of local rivers or seasonal rainfall.