Tewit Well
Encyclopedia
Tewit Well is a spa water
well, the first chalybeate
source discovered in Harrogate
, North Yorkshire
, England
.
After marrying Elizabeth Broad, in 1582 William Slingsby
took his new wife on a Grand Tour
of Europe
, returning in 1594. In 1596, Slingsby discovered that water from Stray common in Harrogate possessed similar properties to that from Spa, Belgium
. He named the well "Tewit", after a local word for peewit or lapwing
, both once being common bird species on the Stray common.
Tewit Well saw fewer visitors than the wells in Low Harrogate, or even St John's Well in High Harrogate, due to its distance from Victorian hotels and lodging houses. In 1842, the structure enclosing the Royal Pump Room
which sits over the Old Sulphur Well, was replaced by a new structure designed by Isaac Shutt for the Improvement Commissioners. The old structure was then moved to Tewit Well.
The structure still stands today on the edge of the Stray known as Cherry Tree Walk, as all the paths are lined on both sides with Cherry tree
s.
Spa water
Spa water may refer to:*Spring *Bottled mineral water from a the springs of a day spa or destination spa*Water in a whirlpool bath...
well, the first chalybeate
Chalybeate
Chalybeate waters, also known as ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.-Name:The word "chalybeate" is derived from the Latin word for steel, "chalybs", which follows from the Greek word "khalups"...
source discovered in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
After marrying Elizabeth Broad, in 1582 William Slingsby
William Slingsby
Sir William Slingsby , was an English soldier, who is noted as the discoverer of the first spa water well in Harrogate, North Yorkshire....
took his new wife on a Grand Tour
Grand Tour
The Grand Tour was the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means. The custom flourished from about 1660 until the advent of large-scale rail transit in the 1840s, and was associated with a standard itinerary. It served as an educational rite of passage...
of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, returning in 1594. In 1596, Slingsby discovered that water from Stray common in Harrogate possessed similar properties to that from Spa, Belgium
Spa, Belgium
Spa is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liège. It is situated in a valley in the Ardennes mountain chain, some southeast of Liège, and southwest of Aachen. As of 1 January 2006, Spa had a total population of 10,543...
. He named the well "Tewit", after a local word for peewit or lapwing
Lapwing
Vanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
, both once being common bird species on the Stray common.
Tewit Well saw fewer visitors than the wells in Low Harrogate, or even St John's Well in High Harrogate, due to its distance from Victorian hotels and lodging houses. In 1842, the structure enclosing the Royal Pump Room
Royal Pump Room, Harrogate
The Royal Pump Room is a museum and former spa water pump, located in the town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.-Background:Debate continues to this day over whom and when the waters of Harrogate were discovered. Generally believed to be Sir William Slingsby who discovered Tewit Well, the...
which sits over the Old Sulphur Well, was replaced by a new structure designed by Isaac Shutt for the Improvement Commissioners. The old structure was then moved to Tewit Well.
The structure still stands today on the edge of the Stray known as Cherry Tree Walk, as all the paths are lined on both sides with Cherry tree
Cherry Tree
Cherry Tree may refer to:* A tree that produces cherries* An ornamental cherry tree that produces cherry blossomsPlaces* Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania, a borough in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States* Cherry Tree, Oklahoma...
s.