Saint Withburga's Well

A spring bubbles up from the ground near Bylaugh in Norfolk, and locals have been drinking from it for over a thousand years. Saint Withburga's Well is what remains of a pilgrimage site that drew the faithful across medieval England, though these days you'll find it tucked away in countryside rather than thronged with crowds.

What you get is essentially a small stone structure marking where the water rises, set in quiet farmland. It's the kind of place that rewards a bit of curiosity rather than demanding hours of your time. The well itself is modest - no grand architecture or visitor centre - but that's rather the point. You're standing at something genuinely ancient, where people came seeking healing or blessing when travelling was measured in days, not minutes.

Historically minded visitors will find the most satisfaction here. If you're after a ten-minute wonder with some genuine medieval provenance, this delivers. Families with young children might find it a bit abstract - there's nothing interactive or obviously dramatic about standing in front of a well. The setting is pleasant enough though, surrounded by Norfolk's gently rolling agricultural landscape.

It's free to visit and worth a stop if you're staying at nearby Bylaugh Country Park Caravan and Campsite or exploring the wider Norfolk countryside. Allow twenty minutes or so, including a walk from wherever you park. Spring and early summer are probably best - the water's flowing and the setting's greener. Don't expect signage or facilities; this is archaeology in its most understated form.