Well

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at the bottom of a S-facing slope in the valley of the N-S Banoge River. It is within what was once the landscaped grounds of Ramsfort House, which is c. 450m to the S. A well is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described in italic lettering on both as Lady Charlotte’s Well. It is thought that Lady Charlotte Ram had the well structure built in the late 18th century, but the granite Celtic ringed cross (H 1.2m; Wth 0.68m; T 0.16m) on top may be an addition of the 1850s when the Rams converted to Catholicism.
This is a circular well (int. diam. 1.3m) defined by a masonry wall retaining the slope W-N-E with a corbelled canopy over it (ext. H 1m) that is supported on pillars (H 1.25m) of alternate bands of quartz and slate at SE and SW. The pillars stand on the cut granite rim (Wth 0.46m) of the well (D c. 0.4m) E-S-W. The outer surface of the canopy has a cement covering and six ribs of quartz stones rise from the string-course on top of the pillars and meet at the apex. This forms the base of the cross that is roughly aligned E-W and has a simple moulded edge as the only decoration. A limestone plaque (dims c. 0.5m x c. 0.5m) on the inner face of the well at N has a raised shield but no device or inscription is visible.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 January, 2014