Malmesbury’s historic Daniel’s Well officially in public hands

Contracts have now been signed, sealing the acquisition of an 8.5-acre riverside beauty spot for community use.

Named after a 9th-century monk who famously plunged into its freezing waters, the historic site — stretching from Foxley Road along the River Avon towards the bank opposite St Aldhelm’s Mead — was previously part of Daniel’s Well Farm.

An alliance of local groups, including Malmesbury Town Council, St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council, Malmesbury League of Friends, and the Malmesbury River Valleys Trust, with support from Malmesbury Civic Trust, united to fund and back the purchase, with negotiations led by town councillor Steve D’Arcy.

Hayley Webb, Chair, Malmesbury League of Friends said: “Malmesbury League of Friends is delighted to have assisted in the purchase of what we hope will become an area of the riverbank that is accessible to all, for the wellbeing of the community.” 

Now Malmesbury Town Council has become the official new owner, the focus moves to development of the landscape.

Cllr D’Arcy said: “This is an exciting development for Malmesbury, and now that the contracts are signed, we can move straight on to the next stage of restoring and preserving this wonderful asset for the community.”

Immediate plans include tree planting, riverbank repairs, and the restoration of a flood-damaged stone clapper bridge. In the longer term, the project will open up the area to everyone by making the trails fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Cllr Roger Budgen, Chair of St Paul Malmesbury Without PC, said: “The acquisition of this historic piece of land has the potential to bring increased benefits to the wider community, not least of which is the safeguarding of the much-valued pedestrian route into town for residents from Common and Foxley Roads.”

Longer term, the plan is to establish a volunteer group to manage this piece of Malmesbury’s heritage.