Barnet Physic Well open day returns on 15 August
Residents can explore the 17th-century mineral spring at a free event in High Barnet
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High Barnet’s historic Physic Well will open to the public for one afternoon next week. The 17th-century mineral spring, once believed to cure ailments, will be accessible on Saturday 15 August between 2pm and 4pm. The site sits at the junction of Well Approach and Pepys Crescent, a five-minute walk from High Barnet tube station.
Barnet Council confirmed the event is free and requires no advance booking. Visitors will be able to descend into the underground chamber where the spring water still rises. Information boards will explain how the well became a destination for Londoners seeking remedies in the 1600s and 1700s.
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What to expect on the day
The open day runs for two hours. Council heritage officers will be present to answer questions about the well’s construction and the minerals once thought to give the water its healing properties. No water will be available for drinking, as the site is now protected for its historical value rather than its original use.
The event forms part of Barnet Council’s annual heritage programme, which includes guided walks and talks across the borough. No formal consultation or planning decision is linked to the open day, but residents can submit comments or suggestions to the council’s heritage team afterwards.
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How to get there
The Physic Well is located at the corner of Well Approach and Pepys Crescent, High Barnet. The nearest tube station is High Barnet, a six-minute walk away. Buses 34, 107, 234, 263, 307 and 384 stop on Barnet Hill, a three-minute walk from the site. No parking is available on Well Approach, but pay-and-display bays are on nearby Wood Street.
The event will go ahead in light rain, but heavy downpours may lead to cancellation. Updates will be posted on Barnet Council’s X account, @BarnetCouncil, by 1pm on the day if the weather forces a change.
Questions this report answers
+Is the Barnet Physic Well open day free?
Yes, the event is free to attend. Barnet Council confirmed no charges apply, and no booking is required. Visitors can arrive any time between 2pm and 4pm on 15 August. The council organises the event as part of its local heritage programme.
+Where exactly is the Barnet Physic Well?
The well is at the corner of Well Approach and Pepys Crescent in High Barnet. It is a five-minute walk from High Barnet tube station. Buses 34, 107, 234, 263, 307 and 384 stop nearby on Barnet Hill.
+What can I see at the Barnet Physic Well open day?
Visitors can explore the underground chamber where the mineral spring rises. Information boards explain the well’s history and its use as a healing site in the 17th and 18th centuries. Council heritage officers will be present to answer questions about the site.
+Will the event be cancelled if it rains?
The open day will proceed in light rain, but heavy downpours may lead to cancellation. Barnet Council will post updates on its X account, @BarnetCouncil, by 1pm on 15 August if the weather forces a change. No indoor alternative is available.
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