Home
OS grid reference SD.7454837331. Wisa's well or Wise Woman's Well is located in the village of Wisewell about one and half miles north-east of Whalley just off the A59. It can be found just off the main street (Pendleton Road) a short way up Moor Lane. A few hundred yards to the west stands the 19th century Shay Cross, a 6 foot high preaching cross or Weeping Cross, standing in a socketed Medieval base by the entrance to Wisewell Hall Farm.
It is most probably a preChristian well that takes its name from a Saxon chieftain called Wisa or Wysa who lived locally. The well was first recorded in the 12th century when it was providing a good, clean water supply. In later centuries it became known as the Wise Woman's Well after a villager called Old Molly.
The well structure measures three and half foot in height by five foot in length and is quite solidly built with stonework on all sides with a large carved square-shaped basin at the bottom that is 1 foot 4' deep; the roof appears to be a large thin slab of stone, now broken. Water still issues into the basin but it may not be drinkable, now. Its likely that the well was used by pilgrims visiting Whalley Abbey back in Medieval times. It is still visited by the faithful today.
It is most probably a preChristian well that takes its name from a Saxon chieftain called Wisa or Wysa who lived locally. The well was first recorded in the 12th century when it was providing a good, clean water supply. In later centuries it became known as the Wise Woman's Well after a villager called Old Molly.
The well structure measures three and half foot in height by five foot in length and is quite solidly built with stonework on all sides with a large carved square-shaped basin at the bottom that is 1 foot 4' deep; the roof appears to be a large thin slab of stone, now broken. Water still issues into the basin but it may not be drinkable, now. Its likely that the well was used by pilgrims visiting Whalley Abbey back in Medieval times. It is still visited by the faithful today.
Last edited by Sunbright57 on Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
